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21 January 2010

North East Derbyshire MP presses Minister to guarantee lower energy bills for asbestos victims.

 

Last week Natascha Engel MP challenged the Energy Minister David Kidney MP to ensure that victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers are entitled to lower energy bills.

The North East Derbyshire MP was speaking as a member of the Energy Bill Committee during a debate about which groups should benefit from lower bills. She highlighted the need to support terminally ill people and their families through lower fuel bills. She said, “we are not only talking abut people losing income because they are unable to work; we are also talking about entire families being devastated”.

The Government has already promised to force energy companies to give older and poorer pensioners discounts on their fuel bills.  

Natascha Engel MP pushed the Minister to expand the list of customers entitled to discounted bills to include people with chronic illnesses and people who have received treatment for cancer in the past 12 months.

Natascha spoke of the work of the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Group and The Trade Union Safety Team based in Chesterfield. 

The Minister has promised to consult widely over the summer on which groups will benefit from mandatory social tariffs.

Natascha Engel said:

“The horrific effects of contact with asbestos are felt by many people in this part of Derbyshire. I am hopeful that the needs of asbestos victims will be considered by the government and that they will be granted lower fuel tariffs.”

 

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