Tuesday, 22 January 2008
For immediate use

Celia Barlow MP Backs National Campaign for Warm Homes

Celia Barlow MP is backing a national campaign that aims to highlight the plight of households who are concerned about being able to heat their homes to adequate levels this winter. There are an average 72 excess winter deaths linked to cold homes every year in Hove and Portsdale. This year, higher energy prices could present a further risk.
  
The Warm Homes Campaign is the annual winter campaign organised by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA). It runs through November and is organised in association with eaga, and supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The campaign aims to cut the number of excess winter deaths and reduce cold-related illnesses by raising awareness of the help available to people who cannot afford to heat their homes in winter.

Celia Barlow MP said: "I am pleased to be supporting the Warm Homes Campaign. Fuel poverty is a serious issue for many families in Hove and Portsdale. It is vital to help people make their homes more energy efficient.  A more energy efficient house is good news for your energy bill. In this day and age, no one should have to spend the winter without affordable heat for their home. I want to see an end to fuel poverty in Hove and Portsdale and across the rest of the UK.”

Anyone who is worried about their winter fuel bill should call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 for information and advice on keeping warm in winter. For more information about grants available to keep your home warm, call freephone 0800 3166014.

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Editor’s Notes:
1. Approximately one in six UK households are unable to affordably heat their homes. Cold homes affect people’s health and wellbeing and are linked to cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The elderly, families with young children, people with disabilities and others on low incomes are especially at risk from the dangers of cold homes.

2. Jenny Saunders, NEA Chief Executive, said: “For millions of families and individuals, winter brings poor health, isolation, debt and worry. We believe that this is unacceptable. The Warm Homes Campaign aims to highlight the effects of fuel poverty and to offer positive and practical solutions to the problem.

3. NEA and Energy Action Scotland are the national charities that tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households through improved energy efficiency. Fuel poverty is defined as spending more than 10% of household income on fuel costs. The Warm Homes Campaign is NEA and Energy Action Scotland's annual campaign targeted at the public and the country's decision makers to raise awareness of fuel poverty and the benefits of improved energy efficiency.

For a Warm Homes Campaign press pack, please click on: http://www.nea.org.uk/downloads/warmhomesweek/Press_Pack_2007_(final_Oct_07).pdf or contact David Bootle, NEA Press Officer, on 0191 261 5677 or david.bootle@nea.org.uk