MP to argue in favour of fairer fuels

South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, will be speaking this afternoon in the Fairer Fuels debate in the House of Commons.

In the debate Tim will be raising concerns expressed by constituents across Westmorland and Lonsdale about the impact that rising fuel prices are having on the cost of living, both in terms of the increased cost in heating homes across the winter and growing petrol prices.

Cumbria is one of the worst affected counties for fuel poverty with around 300 'excess' winter deaths last year alone. Tim has consistently raised his concerns about the rising cost of fuel to Ministers and has worked hard locally avoid negative impacts, particularly on volunteer services like St Mary's Hospice, which are under threat of being priced off the road.

Speaking ahead of the debate Tim said: "This is an important debate in the fight for a fairer deal for people in rural areas who face higher heating cost and who rely on their cars. In constituencies such as Westmorland and Lonsdale, cars are a necessity not a luxury with rural areas being harder to access with public transport. The recent increase in fuel prices has hit the South Lakes hard, so I am pleased that Parliament is having this debate to try and help those most in need."