Warm Front success in Watford
Posted by Claire Ward, MP for Watford, at 16:46, Sat 14 March 2009:
From Claire Ward MP for Watford
14th March 2009
Government success in tackling fuel poverty in Watford
Major strides are being made to tackle fuel poverty in Watford according to the town's MP, Claire Ward.
Over the last three years around 700 households have taken advantage of the Government sponsored scheme aimed at improving living conditions for the elderly, disabled and low income families. More than a million pounds has been spent on a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.
Ms Ward, who recently held a town centre meeting to publicise the advantages of the scheme, is now urging more local residents to apply for the Government grants which could cut their energy bills by anything up to £600 a year.
She said: "I am extremely pleased at the success of the Warm Front initiative in my constituency. Solutions which tackle climate change are vital, but they must also address social issues such as poverty and deprivation . The Warm Front scheme is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden in the present economic climate."
Warm Front works by providing contributions of up to £2,700 towards insulation and gas heating measures and up to £4,000 for oil installations. Green support services company eaga say there has been a record take up in Watford with average household savings varying between £300 and £600 a year.
As well as benefiting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date more than 90 homes in the Watford constituency have increased their average weekly income by £29.85
To qualify for Warm Front grants 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 the MP is urging households to contact the Warm Front team by telephoning 0800 316 6014.
ends
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Posted by Tony Harvie, 20:24, Sat 14 March 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
It is impressive that you are at last taking a high profile on local issues but the choice at the next election will be to retain the party of soundbite and no follow through, the party that never sees an initiative through to completion, the short attention grab a headline party. Sorry too little too late, banks need regulation economies need policy, they are the tools of your social policy the New Labour Experiment has reached a conclusion and the people will vote accordingly. A thought, look at Canada who just run a simple economic policy of doing what they can afford, why are we as a nation bankrupt(on any real scale) while Canada is not? Look at the figures and decide, is your party's record defensible? Under socialism we pay a man to stay at home and feel satisfied that he has the means to watch East enders, a truely SOCIAL governmant after two terms of office should be ENABLING people to build lives away from support, to have pride in achievements and contribute to their society their families and country. After two terms of office you are still papering over the fisures in our society and condeming our weakest to a life of failure it beggars belief that you will have the face to stand for re election.
Posted by Wendy Smith, 17:57, Sun 15 March 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
As a Lbour Government would it not have been a better idea to take back OUR utilities from the foreign companies who own them and who are making vast profits for their investors by fleecing the general public? There would be no need to spend tax payers money on silly schemes that benefit only a handful of people because fuel bills would be under some sort of control and would be affordable.