As blogged here back in December, four Lib Dem MPs were drawn in the top 20 for the Private Members’ Bills ballot for the 2008-09 session. David Heath won second place, and has today announced that he will be bringing forward a bill on ending fuel poverty, the proposals for which formed part of the Lib Dems’ Green Road out of Recession package.

The Fuel Poverty Bill will bring in two measures:
• A major energy efficiency programme to bring existing homes up to the current energy efficiency levels enjoyed by modern homes; and
• Social tariffs to limit vulnerable households’ exposure to high-energy bills.

The measures in the bill have received the backing of many major charities and campaign groups, including Help the Aged, Friends of the Earth, Consumer Focus and the Association for the Conservation of Energy.

As a result of coming second in the private member’s bill ballot, David is guaranteed time for his bill to be debated in the House of Commons on a private member’s bill Friday. The date for the debate has not yet been set, but it is likely to be in March.