Carlisle City Council supports Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

(Date of Issue: Thursday 10 February 2011)

Carlisle City Council is supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2011, a national campaign which aims to raise awareness of the detrimental effects that living in a cold home can have on people’s health.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, run by the charity National Energy Action (NEA), takes place on 11th February and has received backing from high profile health professional Dr Miriam Stoppard, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Charles Hendry and First Minister for Wales, The Rt Hon Carwyn Jones.

Having just experienced the most severe winter since records began over 100 years ago, the campaign aims to draw attention to the health problems caused by living in a cold, damp home, and the importance of ‘fuel poverty proofing’ through insulation measures and energy efficiency to ensure protection against future cold weather and the increasing cost of energy.

Cllr James Bainbridge, Portfolio holder for Housing, said: “Householders are growing increasingly concerned with the costs involved in heating their homes with many turning their heating off in an effort to stay out of debt, risking their health and wellbeing in doing so.

“Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is about acknowledging the issues, helping people to understand the links between fuel poverty and poor health, and making them aware of the different ways in which they can fuel poverty proof their future.

“The most important message is that there is help out there for vulnerable households. I urge everyone who is concerned about their fuel bill to contact their energy supplier or to call the Home

Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to access help and advice on staying warm when it is cold without the fear of fuel debt and ill health.”

Commenting about the importance of the campaign, Charles Hendry, Energy and Climate Change Minister said: “The Government recognises the need to help low income and vulnerable groups keep their homes warm at an affordable cost and the vital health benefits this can bring which is why I welcome and support NEA's Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.

“A key part of the solution is improved energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock. Through the Green Deal and the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) we will ensure resources are focused on fuel poor households in conventional properties and to fuel poor households occupying hard to treat dwellings”.