RISING BLOCK TARIFF

Early day motion 2342, tabled 27 October 2008 by Paddy Tipping (Labour). Signed by 41 members.

That this House notes the alarming increase in the number of people suffering from fuel poverty as a consequence of the unacceptable escalation of fuel bills; further notes that a key component of any package of measures designed to combat fuel poverty should be the statutory reform of energy tariffs, to bring down bills and help to incentivise greater energy efficiency; further notes the amendment to Clause 81 of the Energy Bill, tabled in the other place, that requires the Government to use the rising block tariff system under which customers would receive a basic provision of gas and electricity at a threshold price and more for subsequent blocks of energy used; recognises that the rising block tariff has the merits of encouraging careful management of energy used by householders, promoting an element of re-distribution, reducing the need for means-testing for social tariffs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions; and therefore calls on the Government to consider the merits of this amendment carefully.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.