Energy Prices

Sarah Newton Excerpts

Wednesday 11th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con)]

I simply do not accept the criticism we have heard this afternoon from the Opposition that the Government are sitting on their hands and letting people die in their homes this winter. In the few minutes available to me, I shall demonstrate that, as Opposition Members have said, actions do, indeed, speak louder than words, and I shall describe a fraction of the things that are being done in my constituency to tackle fuel poverty now, as we speak.

Cornwall council and the council of the Isles of Scilly have led a successful bid to the Department of Health for more than £140,000 for a campaign called “Warm homes, healthy people”. It is estimated that each year about 300 people in Cornwall die as a result of living in cold homes, which is, of course, 300 too many. Partners in this campaign include the NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Age UK, Community Energy Plus, the citizens advice bureaux, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, Truro Homeless Action Group, the home improvements agencies, St Petroc’s, the Cornwall drug and alcohol team, New Connection and the councils’ own housing and adult social care teams. All of them are combining their efforts to tackle this problem. They will identify those most at risk of fuel poverty. They are going to make sure that people access all the advice and support that is already available for them. As the right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) said, millions of pounds go unclaimed in benefits and compensation from energy companies. This practical programme will make sure that the people who need support actually access it.

[Mr Watts]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Sarah Newton]

I will not, because I want to allow more colleagues to join in.

The programme is going to give people really good advice on how to protect themselves from the risks of high humidity and on insulating their homes, and it will make sure that they are taking up the available grants. It is also going to make sure that people really take advantage of the many existing free programmes.

This programme has had widespread support from people in Cornwall. The council cabinet member responsible for health and well-being has said:

“This is a great example of community and voluntary organisations coming together with the public sector to offer a joined up approach to a big issue. The funding is very welcome indeed as it will help all the agencies involved target support to those in most need and at most risk. By working together, frontline workers and volunteers will have systems in place to make sure that vulnerable people are directed to the service most able to help them.”

Our director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has also warmly welcomed this investment, saying that it will be used alongside money that Cornwall council and the NHS already spend in subsidising the Warm Front scheme to ensure that all the costs of insulating people’s homes are met.

In addition, the council cabinet member responsible for housing has said that this funding is “great news” and is going to back up the money already being received from the Government to tackle homelessness. People who are homeless or living in very poor quality accommodation—in the mobile homes and park homes that we have heard about; in poor quality, poorly insulated private rented sector accommodation—will be able to top up the money the Government are already giving to people at risk of homelessness, which will actually make a difference this winter.

In addition, I have been working with all these different voluntary sector organisations, and, together with Church groups and poverty forums, we have come up with a practical guide that will be widely distributed to people. Anyone and everyone who is worried about heating their homes this winter will have the full range of advice about all the benefits and services available to them.

I challenge my colleagues on the Opposition Benches. Yes, actions do speak louder than words, and rather than spending hours in these sterile and futile debates, why do they not roll up their sleeves, go back to their constituencies and work with those who really want to make a difference to people this winter?

[Several hon. Members]

rose—