John Battle MP Welcomes Warm Front for Bramley

John met Pamela Scoines, a nurse from Bramley, to congratulate her on receiving a Warm Front grant – the latest of 2,059 homes in Leeds West to get one.

Warm Front provide grants and energy advice for home owners and private tenants who need help to heat their houses, with extra grants available for pensioners.

Ms Scoines received cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to make heating her home more efficient and cheaper, as well as low energy lightbulbs to cut lighting bills.

“This is a very useful scheme and I do encourage people to apply,” said John. “Fuel poverty has no place in 21st Century Britain and Warm Front is one key part of tackling it – alongside the Heat Lease scheme for Council and Housing Association tenants, the pensioners’ Winter Fuel Payment and the millions of pounds the Government is giving Leeds West Homes and Leeds North West Homes to bring all council housing up to decency standard by 2010.”

Goverment Announcement

“Margaret Beckett announced that the Government was backing the Warm Front scheme for another three years with a further £140 million. It’s already made grants to 2,059 households in my Leeds West constituency – and this is good news for us as many more local people will now be able to benefit, and the grants will be bigger.”

“This approach is making a big difference for a lot of people who used to struggle to afford to heat their homes in winter, and particularly to pensioners. I remember the late 1980s and early 90s when the Conservative Government denied the existence of fuel poverty, and the misery it caused for many, but things have changed. Last weekend I met many pensioners in Armley and Bramley who told me their Winter Fuel Payments had come through - £200 for each household where someone is over 60, with an extra £100 for those over 80. It’s very useful.”

Secretary of State for the Environment Margaret Beckett MP said, “This government is serious about putting an end to fuel poverty. It damages the health of those who live in cold homes and affects their quality of life. We want to create warmer, healthier homes particularly for the elderly and families with children.”

Call 0800 952 1555

or visit http://www.nea.org.uk/Grants_&_Help/Grants

for more information about how Warm Front can help you.

©John Battle MP 26 November 2004

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