Steve Brine is urging people in Winchester & Chandler’s Ford to contact the Home Heat Helpline for free help and advice on their energy bills, after research showed that 8,000 of the area’s households are missing out on the support they are entitled to.
A range of measures to help keep heating costs down – such as free or cut-price insulation – are available from energy companies. However, research by the New Policy Institute on behalf of the Home Heat Helpline found that millions of people across the country are failing to take advantage of free help such as this.
In Winchester, like many areas across the UK, there are homes eligible for energy efficiency measures which would help to keep their bills down, but have failed to claim it. This is despite estimates that insulating lofts and cavity walls could help save the typical household around £250 on its heating costs.
By contacting the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99, people will be given the advice they need to access this help. Since opening five years ago, the Helpline has helped around 190,000 people. This winter alone, huge demand saw record calls of 20,000 and a 600% increase in the number of calls.
Commenting, Steve Brine MP said: “Thousands of people in our area are missing out on free help which could reduce their energy bills. Given the record cold winter, it is vital that people take advantage of all the assistance which is available. If you want help or advice on how to keep your bills as low as possible, or know someone else who does, you should call the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99 to speak to a trained advisor or goto www.homeheathelpline.org.uk.”
Sian Lloyd, ITV weather presenter who supports the Home Heat Helpline, said: “As we emerge from one of the coldest winters on record, the Home Heat Helpline has been a lifeline for the most vulnerable who have been worried about paying their energy bills. There is lots of free help out there and I urge those most in need to call today to get the support you are entitled to.”
Christine McGourty, spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline said: “Free help is available to people struggling to keep warm, but too many are failing to claim because they don’t think the help on offer is meant for them. We need to break down those barriers so that more of us claim what we’re entitled to.’’
Pictured; Steve joins ITV weather presenter Sian Lloyd at the ‘Weather Wall’
More information...
For full access to the report please call Blue Rubicon on 0207 260 2700 or [email protected]
The New Policy Institute (NPI) was commissioned by the Home Heat Helpline to estimate the number of vulnerable households who are eligible for free CERT home insulation grants and other free help from their energy supplier.
About the Home Heat Helpline
The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is a free, not for profit phone line set up by Britain’s energy companies to help customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm. Customers can also access the service online by visiting www.homeheathelpline.org.uk