6 Domestic Energy Efficiency Bill
| Date introduced to the House of Commons
Current Bill Number
Previous Reports
| 4 May 2004
House of Commons 100
None
|
6.1 The Domestic Energy Efficiency Bill is a Private Members'
Bill introduced by Mr Jim Cunningham MP. It would introduce a
number of measures designed to address the problem of fuel poverty,
through enhancing energy efficiency in households which are fuel
poor. It would establish a system for the identification of persons
who were fuel poor through co-operation between relevant agencies
and professionals (clause 1). It would establish a system for
inspection of heating appliances in fuel poor homes (clause 2)
and for assessing the energy performance of housing owned by local
authorities or registered social landlords, and issuing certificates
in respect of such performance (clause 3).
6.2 Fuel poverty raises issues under the UN International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and in particular
under Article 11 of the Covenant which guarantees the right to
an adequate standard of living. This right must, in accordance
with Article 2 of the Covenant, be progressively realised to the
maximum of resources available to the state, and without discrimination.
We note that, in its Concluding Observations on the fourth report
of the UK under the Covenant, issued in 2002,[146]
the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights drew
particular attention to this issue. It recommended—
… that the State party take immediate measures
to improve the situation of the large number of families and individuals
who live in poor housing conditions and to relieve the situation
of those who are "fuel poor".[147]
6.3 Extremes of fuel poverty may also raise issues
under the ECHR, in particular under Article 8, the right to physical
integrity, and under Article 3, the freedom from inhuman or degrading
treatment. In providing for additional measures to address fuel
poverty, this Bill would, in our view, further the protection
of rights under the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights, and enhance protection of rights under the ECHR. We
draw this matter to the attention of both Houses.
146 E/C.12/1/Add. 79 Back
147
para. 39 Back
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