Martin celebrates 1635 homes made warmer in Cheltenham (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin celebrates 1635 homes made warmer in Cheltenham

May 8, 2009 12:45 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood is celebrating the work of the Warm Front scheme in tackling fuel poverty in Cheltenham and is urging more local residents to come forward and get help with measures that could cut their energy bills by anything up to £600 a year.

Martin said: "Solutions which tackle climate change are vital, but they can also address social issues such as fuel poverty at the same time.

The Warm Front scheme aims to help people with energy efficiency and has made a real difference to increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden. Much more needs to be done but this scheme has shown the way forward."

Warm Front works by providing contributions of up to £2,700 towards insulation and gas heating measures and £4,000 for oil for the elderly, disabled and low income families.

Green support services company eaga reported that since the beginning of the scheme's operations in the constituency, there have been record take up figures with 1635 households in Cheltenham having benefited from the scheme.

These households benefited from a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.

To date £1,504,894.64 has been invested by Warm Front in Cheltenham. Many of those who have benefited from the scheme are reporting average household savings of anything between £300 and £600 a year.

Rising fuel prices and the need to protect the environment from dangerous CO2 levels are making the work of the Warm Front scheme increasingly important.

As well as benefiting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date 72 homes in the Cheltenham constituency have increased their average weekly income by £22.20.

To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. To find out more about the scheme and see if they qualify, Martin is urging households to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.