Lib Dem candidate launches fuel windfall tax petition

7.38.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Sep 2008

Gary Prosser, Liberal Democrat candidate in the Charborough ward of Filton has joined calls by unions to tax some of the profits being made by the energy companies out of the fuel crisis.

With a large number of older people living in the ward, soaring fuel bills alongside other big increases in household costs are a big worry for many as winter approaches.

Gary adds "There was a time when Labour stood up for ordinary people. Yet whilst they have made over £50 billion pounds available to banks and Northern Rock, there is very little support for the victims of the credit crisis and those worried about how they are going to heat their homes this winter".

"While grants for increasing insulation and replacing old boilers are welcome, and should be made more readily available, fuel efficiency measures alone will NOT be sufficient for people facing real hardship as winter approaches in 2 months time."