Farron backs national campaign for warm homes

4.30.01pm GMT Fri 15th Dec 2006

Local MP Tim Farron is backing a national campaign that aims to highlight the plight of households who are concerned about being able to heat their homes to adequate levels this winter.

The Warm Homes Campaign is the annual winter campaign organised by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA). It runs through November and is organised in association with Powergen, part of E.ON UK, and supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (in England).

The campaign aims to cut the number of excess winter deaths and reduce cold-related illnesses by raising awareness of the help available to people who cannot afford to heat their homes in winter.

MPs, Members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Members around the country are supporting this year's campaign, which is organised in association with Powergen, part of E.ON UK.

Tim Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said:

"I am particularly pleased to be supporting the Warm Homes Campaign. Fuel poverty is a serious business. It is vital to help people make their homes more energy efficient. A more energy efficient house is good news for your energy bill. In this day and age, no one should have to spend the winter without affordable heat for their home. I want to see an end to fuel poverty in Westmorland and Lonsdale and across the rest of the UK."

One in six UK households are unable to affordably heat their homes. Cold homes affect people's health and wellbeing and are linked to cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The elderly, families with young children, people with disabilities and others on low incomes are especially at risk from the dangers of cold homes.

There are an average 68 excess winter deaths linked to cold homes every year in Westmorland and Lonsdale. This year, higher energy prices could push that figure even higher.

William Gillis, NEA Chief Executive, said:

"For millions winter brings poor health, isolation, debt and worry. We believe that this is unacceptable. During the Warm Homes Campaign we will be calling on the Government to provide greater resources to tackle fuel poverty and protect vulnerable householders from rapidly rising energy prices."

Anyone who is worried about their winter fuel bill should call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 for information and advice on keeping warm in winter. Or for more information about grants available to keep your home warm, call freephone 0800 3166011 and quote MK 550.

Powergen's Garry Worthington, Social & Environmental Affairs Manager said:

"Powergen is committed to helping people achieve affordable warmth in their homes. Earlier this year we launched the £100m CaringEnergy scheme to provide vulnerable customers with free energy efficiency measures and advice, as well as, advice on payments, tariffs and income maximisation.

"We're delighted to be supporting Warm Homes campaign for the second year to raise awareness of the help we can give in improving the comfort of homes and in reducing energy bills through better energy efficiency."