A cross-party Commons bid to tackle fuel poverty through the promotion of energy efficiency and social tariffs has failed.
David Heath (Lib Dem, Somerton and Frome) had told MPs: "It is a tragedy that 20,000 people needlessly die from the cold each year, and many more become ill."
Heath said his Bill "is good for those living in poverty, good for the health of the nation, very good for the environment and, at a time when it is desperately needed, it's good for the economy".
And he insisted that support for his Fuel Poverty Bill "is a no-brainer".
But the Bill ran out of time on its second reading, and also came in for criticism from the government, with junior energy minister Joan Ruddock criticising the "absolutist nature" of the Bill.
After four hours, an attempt to end Friday's debate and move to a vote failed by 11 votes.
The minister was still speaking when time for the Bill ran out at 2.30pm.
Speaking after the failure of the Bill, Heath said: "I won't give up the fight to change the dire situation that many people face through fuel poverty, and I don't want a single extra person to die as a result of fuel poverty.
"It will be difficult to get this bill back on track, but I am determined to do so."Stakeholder Response: Age Concern
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern said:
"This is a huge let-down for 2.75 million older people living in fuel poverty and many will question why a government which claims to be concerned about fuel poverty has acted in such a cynical way.
"It's time for action to match ministers rhetoric; they should start by keeping their promises to end the unfair pricing policies which penalise the poorest and reforming the Warm Front scheme.
"If these issues at least are not addressed in the Budget, older people will conclude that government is not serious about tackling fuel poverty."
