MacShane Urges Pensioners To Keep Warm

It is vitally important for Rotherham pensioners to keep their homes warm in winter. I welcome the Government decision set out in the the 2005 Pre-Budget Report in December to include the following package of support:

·        By setting aside an additional £300 million over the next three years, the Warm Front programme will not only be able to offer pensioner households on Pension Credit free installation of central heating, but will also offer all other pensioner households without central heating £300 towards the costs of installing it;

·        Energy suppliers have agreed to install loft and cavity wall insulation free for Pension Credit recipients who don’t have it, and will also provide insulation at a discount for all other pensioners; and

·        Winter Fuel Payments will remain at their current level of £200 for all households with someone age 60 or over, rising to £300 for those who are aged 80 and over, for the duration of this Parliament. Over 11 million people will benefit from a WFP this winter.

The Warm Front programme has so far insulated one million homes. But there are still half a million that have no central heating and two million without insulation.

In his Pre-Budget Report speech to the House, the Chancellor said:

“The energy savings are so great that no pensioner household should be without insulation and no pensioner should be without help to install central heating. And after many years it is time to complete the insulation and installation of central heating for their homes.”

How to go about getting Pension Credit if you think you may be eligible:

Applying is easy – you simply call the application line on freephone 0800 99 1234, which is there to help people through their application and answer queries. It takes about 20 minutes. People can ask for a paper application form to be sent to them if they prefer.

What if I am not on Pension Credit?

If you are not on Pension Credit and aged over 60 you are still entitled to:

·        a discount of £300 on central heating systems if you do not have central heating

·        discounted loft and cavity wall insulation

·        Winter Fuel Payments of £200 for all households with someone age 60 or over rising to £300 for those who are aged 80 and over for the duration of this Parliament.

Eaga Partnership Ltd manages a number of government funded schemes across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, including the Warm Front Scheme. To find out more information regarding a specific scheme that operates in your area, visit http://www.eaga.co.uk/Grants/central_gov-grants.htm

Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the Warm Front Scheme can contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6011. The Home Heat Helpline (0800 336699) will be able to provide more information on what help is available from energy suppliers.