Local MP, Annette Brooke, helps win statutory 20% target for energy

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Dec 2004

A huge coalition of campaign groups is thanking local MP, Annette Brooke, for playing a crucial part in the success of the campaign to obtain a legally binding commitment upon the Government to improve energy efficiency in housing in England by 20% by 2010.

At the end of the last session, the Government introduced a new clause into the Housing Bill which binds the Government to deliver precisely this target. This followed a Government defeat in the House of Lords and a substantial revolt amongst Labour MPs which halved the Government's majority.

This is the culmination of an extremely long campaign. Successive governments have been refusing to countenance such a statutory target for years.

This means that:

• The Government has effectively reinstated their earlier aim, as stated in the 2003 Energy White Paper, of saving 5 million tonnes of carbon from domestic energy efficiency. Earlier this year, this had been cut, to 4.2 megatonnes - a 16% reduction.

• The Government's energy efficiency target for England is now a statutory duty, which any future government, of whatever political persuasion, is legally required to introduce policies to achieve.

Andrew Warren, Chair of the Sustainable Energy partnership said:

"This is a considerable triumph for both energy efficiency industry and the environment. It has only occurred as a result of consistent and effective campaigning by a vast number of organisations.

"We are very pleased that Annette Brooke MP played a part in persuading the Government of the need for a change of heart by signing parliamentary motions in favour of a change."