Dundee LibDems back national campaign for warm homes (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems back national campaign for warm homes

November 25, 2005 9:42 PM

Dundee Liberal Democrats are backing the Warm Homes Campaign, the annual winter campaign organised by fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland, in association with energy supplier Powergen, to highlight the plight of households who are unable to afford to heat their homes to adequate levels this winter.

Cllr Fraser Macpherson, Dundee City Council's Liberal Democrat Group Leader, said,

"The inability to afford adequate heating has serious consequences for individual households and society as a whole. Scottish Liberal Democrats recognise the need to tackle low incomes and the poor energy efficiency standards in our housing so that no one has to worry about the cost of heating their home. We believe that in this day and age, no one should have to spend the winter in a cold, damp home simply because they can't afford to put the heating on. That is why Dundee LibDems are supporting the Warm Homes Campaign and for an end to fuel poverty."

Cllr Macpherson also highlighted the work the Liberal Democrat/Labour administration on Dundee City Council was undertaking to ensure all Dundee's council houses meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard which will mean all houses will be:

• above the tolerable standard which is the absolute minimum standard that a house must meet

• free from serious disrepair such as major roof, dampness or structural problems

• energy efficient so it must have effective insulation and central heating

• provided with kitchen and bathroom fittings that are in a good and safe condition

• safe and secure, for example it must have a smoke detector, secure doors and safe electrical and gas systems.

Cllr Macpherson continued, "It is intolerable that many households across Scotland are unable to afford to heat their homes. Cold homes affect people's health and wellbeing and are linked to cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The elderly, families with young children, people with disabilities and others on low incomes are especially at risk from the dangers of cold homes. Its something that must be tackled and tackled effectively and that's why Dundee Lib Dems fully support the Warm Homes Campaign."