Stunell keeps heat on Climate Change Bills

5.09.43pm GMT Tue 15th Nov 2005

Andrew with a micro combined heat and power boiler - saving bills and the environment!

On Friday, local MP, Andrew Stunell spoke out in Parliament for two Climate Change Bills that would force the Government to do more to halt climate change by encouraging small scale energy production in people's home and communities. One Bill was passed and will now be debated further in Committee Stage. The other ran out of Parliamentary time before a vote could be taken.

Mr Stunell told Parliament that these Bills were "an important piece of a big and complex jigsaw aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

"Most of us are responsible for more carbon dioxide emissions from our houses each year than from our cars… With these bills we could reduce our bills and improve our home comfort levels, as well as reduce carbon dioxide and slow the rate of climate change.

Mr Stunell spoke on behalf of environmental campaigners in Stockport, and for Stockport Council: "Some 21 local authorities—including my own of Stockport, have expressed strong support for the Bill."

Speaking later, Mr Stunell expressed his disappointment that only one of the Bills will go through to the next stage of the Parliamentary procedure:

"I am delighted that the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill has been passed at Second Reading. However, it is a huge shame that the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill has fallen. An important opportunity to make the Government finally take some real action on climate change has been missed." ENDS

Notes to Editors: The text of the debate can be found at the Hansard Website, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051111/debindx/51111-x.htm