a proposed change to the Housing Bill that would mean the introduction of a second decent homes target has been backed by 77 MPs.
The new target, suggested by a group of MPs led by Nottingham South Labour MP Alan Simpson, would require all social housing to meet a tougher standard for heating and insulation by 2016.

The proposal would also help the government meet its target to eradicate fuel poverty in England by that year.

Simpson said: "It is clear that on current progress the government will not meet its target for reducing the worst cases of fuel poverty by 2010. This amendment will raise the existing decent homes standard. As it stands, it will not lift the worst groups out of fuel poverty.

"It is bizarre, but it is because the fuel poverty target is set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and decent homes is ODPM."

DEFRA's definition of fuel poverty is that a person spends more than 10% of their income on heating their home.

Simpson said he had had "several positive meetings" with housing minister Keith Hill and was hopeful that the change would be made when the bill came back for its report stage in the House of Commons next month.