Around 4 million UK households are living in fuel poverty, people are spending increasingly more money on their energy bills. Plans are being introduced to cut this spending.
There are schemes being set up in York and throughout Yorkshire, in a bid to help homeowners save money. ‘Better Homes Yorkshire’ is a joint programme which York City Council is a part of, they work together offering different ways to help homeowners in the best way possible.
York City Council undertook a leading role by introducing a scheme which offers grants offering free insulation to low-income households. In parts of York you can qualify if your annual income is below £20,000. Those with an annual income of 20-35,000 can receive 75 percent of the payment towards new insulation for their homes.
The council is providing this quick process operation which could save families hundreds in the long run, preventing further fuel poverty. Lance Saxby, the manager of the scheme, says:
“In the households that we install the insulation into it should help them out. Official statistic is that it could save a household around about £150 a year. If you are on a very low income then, £150 a year is a worthwhile amount.”
“If they keep their expenditure the same then they can have a more comfortable home. We do see a lot of cost savings and energy savings being taken up in comfort rather than in a cost reduction. It depends on the individual as to how they would realise the benefit of the work.”
In addition, Yorkshire County Council are funding ‘Warm & Well’, a partnership of charities and organisations across North Yorkshire aiming to tackle causes of poverty and winter deaths. Set up in September, its support is aimed at those on low incomes, benefits, families with small children, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and vulnerable older people.
Laura Thomas, the Warm & Well Project Coordinator, says:
“We are working with a range of organisations in order to reach as many cold homes as possible. These include local Age UKs, Citizens Advice, Charities, Local councils and Home Improvement Agencies.”
“The help varies from support at the Citizens Advice to help manage and reduce debts to energy companies, to help applying for grants to improve the physical heating in their property.”
“At the moment it seems that the cost for things like gas and electricity are increasing much faster than peoples income. This impacts people on both PAYG and credit meters and pushes people into debt and fuel poverty.”
It’s said that, preventing fuel poverty not only saves money on energy bills, but increases spending elsewhere. This then leads to better living conditions, better health and relieves the stress which bills can create.
Residents across Yorkshire are able to take advantage of the Government’s funds by making improvements to their homes. Sarah Brough, a resident in York, says:
“I wasn’t aware of the amount of support given to homeowners. I will definitely be looking online to see if I’m eligible. When this cold time of year comes around, people can get ill because of the poor insulation, especially in older houses.”
“If your house is cold damp can grow, vulnerable people can really suffer from this. I think it’s great that the government is providing this money and it definitely needs to be advertised more so that people aren’t missing out.”
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