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Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MPLiberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Berwick Upon TweedWorking for you and the Berwick upon Tweed Constituency all year roundin Northumberland and in Westminster |
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Beith urges people to keep warm this winter by calling Home Heat Helpline
February 20, 2009 11:30 AM
Sir Alan Beith MP is calling on people throughout the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency who are concerned about heating their homes this winter to call the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) for free advice and financial support.
There are 2,059 people in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency living in fuel poverty, which means they spend over 10 per cent of their income on paying their fuel bills. Fuel poverty disproportionately affects older people, single parents and those living with disabilities. One call to the free helpline can provide direct support through access to reduced tariffs, grants for free home insulation and flexible payment options, as well as the disconnection safety net to ensure that vulnerable customers will not be cut off even if they are unable to pay their bill.
Sir Alan said:
"I want to ensure that people all over the constituency keep warm this winter as temperatures drop and the credit crunch continues to squeeze household budgets. That's why I'm urging anyone who is concerned about their fuel costs, or those of a relative, neighbour or friend, to call the Home Heat Helpline free of charge on 0800 33 66 99. There will be advisors on standby who can help organise new tariffs, insulation grants and advice and support on how to keep warm and save money on their bills."
The Home Heat Helpline has received support from Help the Aged, Age Concern, Citizen's Advice, National Energy Action, Energy Saving Trust, Counsel and Care and One Parent Families/ Gingerbread. As part of its winter campaign, the stepped-up service will allow worried householders or their relatives and friends to make online enquiries and receive advice and support over the internet at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
The campaign has been supported by BBC star Richard Wilson, and paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson. Richard Wilson, who helped re-launch the Home Heat Helpline, said:
"I'm worried people are not getting the support they are entitled to on energy bills - whether it's pensioners, single parents or people with disabilities, there are special rates, support through free insulation and wider help out there all for the taking. But people need to know what's available - that's why I am asking everyone who thinks they may qualify for support to call the Home Heat Helpline today!"
For more information, ring the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 or log on to www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
The Home Heat Helpline operates from Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and from 10am-2pm on Saturday.
The Home Heat Helpline is a free number - 0800 33 66 99 - providing vulnerable customers with a direct link to specialist teams at their energy supplier, who can deliver one or more of the following services: the Priority Service Register which provides extra services for people who are elderly or disabled including bills in large text or Braille, security passwords and an annual gas safety check; grants for free home insulation; flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt
benefits entitlement checks; a disconnection safety net which means that vulnerable customers will not be cut off even if they are unable to pay their bill.
The Home Heat Helpline is managed by the Energy Retail Association and paid for by contributions from Britain's major energy suppliers. The Energy Retail Association (ERA), formed in 2003, represents the major electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic market in Great Britain. All the main energy suppliers operating in the residential market in Great Britain are members of the association - British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy.
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