Gregory Barker MP
Minister of State
Department of Energy and Climate Change
3 Whitehall Place
London SW1A 2HH

11 October 2010

Dear Gregory,

Fuel Poverty

I am writing in support of EDM 481 to urge you to do more to protect people from fuel poverty. As I am sure you are aware, and as the EDM notes, the excess winter death rate rose by 49% last year, with older people most severely affected.

Given the coalition government's recent decision to rescind on pre-election promises about the universal child benefit, I trust we will not see a similar attack on the winter fuel payment. Please pledge as a minimum to support the National Pensioners Convention's call to maintain the winter fuel payment at its current level of £250 for pensioner households where someone is between 60 and 79 years old and £400 for those aged 80 and over.
Many of my constituents are already dreading the onset of winter, knowing that the choice between ‘eating and heating' will be a real one for them. The added worry about potential cuts in winter fuel payments is intolerable.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP