Joint Committee On Human Rights Twenty-Third Report


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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