MP ERIC Forth is being criticised for attempting to block a bill which could reduce fuel costs and slow climate change.

Green campaigners say the Bromley and Chislehurst MP needs to fall in line with parliamentary colleagues and back The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill.

Although it has cross-party support, Mr Forth is opposed because he believes without the US, India and China cutting emissions it is pointless for the UK to take action.

If the bill is passed, it would mean the Government would be required by law to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming and climate change.

This would be done through micro generation producing power on a small scale, rather than in big power plants.

Sources include solar and wind power as well as house boilers which produce domestic electricity from heat.

This would also help tackle fuel poverty because it would reduce the cost of fuel, allowing residents, especially the elderly, to buy more fuel in winter.

A fuel-poor household is one which spends more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel.

The private member's bill, put forward by Scottish MP Mark Lazarowicz, has had its first and second reading and is likely to be discussed by a standing committee this month.

At the second reading on November 11, campaigners claim Mr Forth talked at length to stall discussion, described fuel poverty as "complete nonsense" and claimed he would block the bill in future.

Bromley Green Party spokesman John Street said: "We urge Mr Forth to reconsider and drop his opposition.

"Members of his own front bench were in the house to support the bill."

He added: "Climate change is real and so is fuel poverty.

"We should do the best we can to alleviate the effects of both."

Ron Bailey is head of the Sustainable Energy Partnership, which supports the bill and has more than 30 organisations as members, including Help the Aged and UNISON.

He said: "Mr Forth must not be allowed to continue with his wrecking tactics.

"Thousands of elderly people die each year because of fuel povert, yet to Mr Forth this is nonsense."

Mr Forth declined to comment.