Free heating and insulation help

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough is backing an awareness push from Consumer Focus, Citizens Advice, Age UK and National Children’s Bureau on free heating help available for lower income households.

Andrew Jones MP is urging people in the constituency, who are worried about their energy bills, to find out if they are eligible for free heating and insulation improvements from Warm Front.

At a time when household budgets are tight, millions of pounds are available through this Government scheme to help struggling households in England make their homes warmer and cut their energy bills.

The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation improvements to households on certain income-related benefits living in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system.

Qualifying households can get improvements worth up to £3,500 (£6,000 where oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended).

Grants are available for improvements such as:

• loft insulation
• draught-proofing
• cavity wall insulation
• hot water tank insulation
• gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating
• glass-fronted fire – the Warm Front scheme can convert your solid-fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire

You won’t have to pay anything as long as the work doesn’t cost more than the grant available. If the cost of the work is more than the grant available you’ll have to make a contribution to enable work to go ahead. Work will not start without making sure you are willing and able to pay the difference.

Andrew said:

£50m went unclaimed for free heating and insulation last year so we need to make sure that people are aware that the money is there.

That’s why I am supporting this campaign to raise awareness of the Warm Front scheme. There are many people in this constituency who would be eligible so it is very important that the word gets out to everyone.

As the eligibility criteria for help under the Warm Front scheme is widening from 12 September, even if someone has been turned down before they may be able to get help this year. The heating and insulation improvements Warm Front offers could help thousands of households to stay warm and well and save up to £600 off their energy bills each year.

People can find out if they can get free help from Warm Front by calling 0800 316 2805 or by visiting their local Citizens Advice Bureau or Age UK

Further information and an on-line application form are also available on www.direct.gov.uk