NORTH WEST WISHES FOR WARMER WINTER TO CUT FUEL BILLS

PEOPLE in the North West would say goodbye to the chance of a white Christmas if it meant saving on their fuel bills.  That's according to new figures from Citizens Advice which revealed that 4 out of 5 are hoping for a mild winter so they don't need to have the heating on as much; more than any other region.  And that's not the only way people are looking to make savings - 2 in 5 would cut back on their food shopping to pay for other household bills. Plus Santa's purse strings have also been tightened as 41% said they'll spend less this Christmas.

So says Citizens Advice as it urges families and households across the North West to save money on their fuel bills during Big Energy Saving Week - 22 October to 27 October 2012.  Citizens Advice are calling on people in the region to'check, switch and insulate" to make sure that they are making the biggest possible saving.

The new figures also found that 66% of people in the North West think their energy bill will be higher this winter. And many people in the region are living in colder homes than they would like; over half don't have the heating on as much and 18% don't use some of the rooms in their home in a bid to cut the size of their energy bills.   Yet only 1 in 5 had spoken to their supplier to see if they were on the best deal and just 13% had changed to another energy company.  3 out of 5 have tightened their belt this year to cope with rising daily costs. But despite the squeeze on finances, only 1 in 3 households are using less electricity and just a third have insulated their homes.

In the last 12 months, Citizens Advice Bureaux in the North West helped clients with over 14,300 fuel debt problems.  To ease the strain on budgets there will be Big Energy Saving Week events across the North West helping people save money on their energy bills including events in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Wigan, Bolton and Copeland. Advice is also available online, on the phone:- 0300 123 1234 or through your local CAB.

Citizens Advice, Chief Executive, Gillian Guy said:- "People must check, switch and insulate to make sure that they're getting the best deal for their energy.  Big energy bills and rising daily costs are putting extra pressure on household budgets that are already stretched thin. We're worried that some people are finding themselves unnecessarily hard-up because they're paying more than they have to for their fuel bills and aren't getting all of the help that's available to them. Through Big Energy Saving Week we're helping the nation prepare for winter and put money back in people's pockets."

Big Energy Saving Week is funded by the largest 6 energy companies – British Gas, EDF Energy, EON, npower, SSE and Scottish Power, and involves Citizens Advice Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust, Age UK, ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), Consumer Focus, the Government, Ofgem, Energy UK and National Energy Action.

There are also 17 innovative projects that will help people lower their fuel bills during and beyond Big Energy Saving Week and in the North West, pre-payment customers in Copeland will be offered loans through a credit union to have their pre-payment meter removed; putting them on a cheaper way to pay for their fuel.

Edward Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said:- "Winter energy costs are a big worry for millions of families, and I want Big Energy Saving Week to get advice to as many people as possible on how to get those bills down. There is action you can take to make sure you are getting the best deal for your gas and electricity. There are ways to save money by insulating your home and cutting out energy waste, and there is help available from the Government for those struggling the most."

During Big Energy Saving Week advisers from CAB, local Age UKs and ACRE will be out and about at supermarkets, town halls, libraries and even market stalls explaining how people can cut their energy bills by an average total of up to £650 a year.

Big Energy Saving Week top tips to cut bills:-

►  Check you are on the best deal with your current supplier and whether there is a better way you can pay your bills. Most suppliers offer a discount if you pay by direct debit, on average around £100, compared to paying your bill by cash or cheque.

►  Make sure you are getting all the financial help you are eligible for. Up to £20 billion of benefits went unclaimed in 2011. Your supplier might be able to offer you a discount if you are on certain benefits too. Speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau who can help.

►  Switch to a better deal with a new supplier, particularly if you have never switched before. You could potentially save as much as £200 or more by shopping around. A list of accredited websites can be found by clicking on here. 

►  If you use heating oil, consider joining or setting up a local oil buying club. You might be able to negotiate a discount with suppliers if you are buying in bulk. Also, buy early before winter and you might get it cheaper.

►  Insulating the loft and cavity walls of your home is a great way to save money on your heating bills, up to £160 per year if you do both. Most major energy suppliers are also offering this free or at a reduced price. Act now before winter!

►  You might also be able to get some help with improving the efficiency of your property from Government funded schemes if you are on a low income. There are different schemes for Scotland, England and Wales.

►  There are also lots of small things you can do for free or at low cost around the home to save money on your energy bills saving, on average, up to £195 per year. You can find out more by calling the Energy Saving Trust on:- 0300 123 1234 or fill out an online home energy check at .