This weekend the consumer group Energywatch suggested that 4.5 million households (or one in six) in Britain now spend at least 10% of their annual income on heating their properties. As such the local authorities are working together to help vulnerable housholds save energy and reduce their bills.
The UK has recently seen prices rise again at a massive rate. So despite years of good progress on improving the nations housing it means that the national fuel poverty figures are at their worst for a decade!
Nationally half of those in fuel poverty are elderely, with those on fixed income pensions being especially vulnerable to inflation busting price hikes. So the Council in partnership with the Marches Energy Agency, the Energy Advice Centre and local installers has developed a scheme to help the elderly reduce their fuel bills.
Cllr. Mrs Judith Williams, Portfolio Holder for Sustainabilty says “in response to these concerns we have developed an option for anyone over the age of 70 to have free loft and cavity wall insulation installed. Even the phone call is free, so just call Keep Shropshire Warm now on free phone 0800 512 012 quoting KSW or visit www.keepshropshirewarm.org
Keep Shropshire Warm Officer; Steve Winmill, suggests that recent price hikes mean that households in Shropshire could save as much as £200 a year. “By insulating your home, you can ensure a more comfortable environment to live in whilst not paying more than you should be. The Keep Shropshire Warm campaign can help the public combat these price rises”.
NOTES
Keep Shropshire Warm is a partneship involving Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council and all the other Councils in Shropshire working with the Marches Energy Agency and the Shropshire Energy Advice Centre. The project is funded by DEFRA.
Homeowners and private tenants receiving benefits could qualify for free cavity wall and loft insulation. Free insulation is also offered to people over the age of 70. Households that do not qualify for the free measures are offered large discounts with up to £250 off the cost of insulation. These are time limited offers and people should not delay in contacting the Keep Shropshire team.
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