Energy conservation campaigners have welcomed the support of two Richmond MPs in their fight to ban cold and dangerous homes.

Twickenham MP Vincent Cable, and Jenny Tonge, Richmond Park MP, voted in Parliament for the introduction of a new law that would ensure the worst housing in England and Wales is made warm and brought up to fire safety standards.

The Home Energy Conservation Bill 2001 will allow councils to make big changes to eradicate cold and badly-insulated homes. Government ministers have dubbed such houses death-traps and pledged to improve them.

Mr Cable said: Too many people have died in dangerous, poorly maintained houses. We really cannot put up with cold and dangerous housing any longer.

Shelter, Friends of the Earth and the National Housing Federation are among those supporting the bill.