An MP from Wearside is calling for the government to crack down on Britain’s dangerous cable installations.
Sharon Hodgson, who is the Member of Parliament for Sunderland and Washington, is expected to take her concerns about dodgy cable imports to Parliament and try to get fellow ministers to lobby behind cracking down on said imports.
The MP plans to ask the government to amend the current laws on cable imports by making sure:
- Quality checks are carried out on cable imports
- Any cables used in building work must be certified safe by a third party
- Add cable inspection/verification to the requirements of building inspection and prosecute those found to be installing non-certified cables in public buildings
The concerns about sub-standard cable became apparent after Hodgson visited a factory in the North East, and was told that more than 20% of cabling in Britain is suspected to be substandard, and fails basic safety requirements.
As a result of this, statistics from the Department of Communities and Local government show that fires caused by faulty electrical systems are on the steady increase, with almost 4000 individual fires reported across the region in 2010-2011.
Speaking about the problem, Sharon Hodgson said:
“In our technology-driven society cables are everywhere; in our schools, hospitals, homes, cars, planes, and trains. “I think many people will be shocked to discover that the UK has little regulation on these cables, especially as unsafe cables can easily cost you your life or your home if they cause a fire.
“Not only are counterfeit cables dangerous, they are also undermining British jobs and putting pressure on domestic cable manufactures, including the Prysmian factory in my constituency.”
