AN MP has passed the first hurdle in forcing the Government to give disabled people lower energy bills amid concerns they cannot afford the cost of electricity.
Marion Fellows, the SNP MP for Motherwell, was given permission to introduce a bill to Parliament on Tuesday which would see the Government introduce price controls on energy.
She highlighted research from last year which showed disabled people and those with pre-existing health conditions were more worried than others about the cost of heating and lighting.
Figures released at the end of last year showed that over half (56%) of people from vulnerable households are worried about being cold this winter, this rises to 63% among people living in a household where someone is suffering from a pre-existing health condition or is disabled.
Speaking in the Commons, Fellows highlighted how disabled people who may have to charge life-saving kit like oxygen concentrators or feeding pumps faced higher bills because they used more electricity.
Fellows made her case under Westminster’s 10 Minute Rule, which allows backbenchers the chance to introduce legislation to Parliament.
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The SNP are also calling for the reintroduction of the £400 energy bill rebate.
Speaking before the bill was accepted, Fellows said: “It is unfair that households with disabled people who rely on life-saving electrical equipment are facing higher than average energy costs or having to choose between heating or charging equipment – they should not have to pay the price for this Tory government's economic incompetence.
“I am urging the UK Government to support my bill and urgently implement a social energy tariff to financially support disabled people.
“Scotland is an energy rich country with natural resources in abundance – but Westminster is holding us back by raking in the profits our resources have generated and by refusing to devolve energy powers. No household in Scotland should be facing fuel poverty.”
The bill was accepted for introduction as there were no MPs opposed and will be read for the first time in March.
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