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A strategy to end cold homes
for good
THE new Fuel Poverty Strategy sets out
a revolutionary approach to identifying and targeting England's energy
inefficient homes. Future Governments will now, for the first time, be required
by law to tackle fuel poverty by making the coldest, leakiest homes in England
more energy efficient.
This new Fuel Poverty Strategy; the first for over a decade outlines
challenges and actions for the next 15 years to ensure future Governments take
the right steps to tackle fuel poverty and get help to those who need it most.
A new legally binding target; in force since December 2014; is at the heart of
the new strategy. It requires a minimum standard of energy efficiency (Band C)
for as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable by 2030.
Early measures to tackle the problem of fuel poverty
and hit the new target include:-
► New regulations so from April 2018 private landlords cannot rent out energy
inefficient properties (homes with Energy Performance ratings below 'E').
► Tackling the problem of fuel poverty in off gas grid
properties with a new £25 million fund to help people install central heating
systems for the first time.
► Extending the successful ECO scheme to 2017, so that a further 500,000
properties will be made cheaper and easier to heat, building on the one million
homes that ECO and the Green Deal have helped in the last 2 years.
The strategy prepares the ground for future new measures with a series of pilots
focused on priority areas, ranging from health aspects of fuel poverty through
to specific housing types like off gas grid properties and park homes.
A £3 million pot for such pilots will see £1 million released immediately to
scale up local 'warmth on prescription' projects to help primary
healthcare professionals such as GPs play a much larger part in tackling fuel
poverty. In the coming months up to £2 million more will be released to support
innovation pilots, not just in health but also for off gas grid, park homes and
community energy approaches.
Unveiling the strategy, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said:-
"Today marks a crucial step towards a future free from cold homes and bloated
energy bills in England.
We now have a legally binding commitment to plug our draughtiest houses; adding
to the 1 million homes we've made warmer and cheaper to heat. From tackling fuel
poverty in the private rented sector to facing up properly to the challenges of
rural off gas grid fuel poverty, this strategy marks a significant change from
the old approach. Yet even as we implement new regulations and new spending
priorities to make homes warmer, we are planning for the next phase of cutting
fuel poverty, with a series of key pilots, especially into the link between
improving health and cutting fuel poverty."
Households in fuel poverty in the least energy efficient homes (Bands F and G)
typically face energy costs that are £1,000 more than those in higher quality
homes. To help focus support where it is needed most, the strategy introduces
interim milestones to get as many as fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable
up to a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band E by 2020 and Band D by 2025.
Minister for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd:- "We want the fall in
levels of fuel poverty seen under this Government to continue - so that cold
homes are gone for good.
That's the future we're presenting, alongside our ambitious targets, so even
more households can join the 1 million homes already reaping the benefits of
lower energy bills and warmer homes this winter."
Last month, the Government laid draft regulations to introduce minimum energy
efficiency standards that will see up to 1 million people renting from private
landlords benefit from warmer and cheaper to heat homes. Many of the poorest
tenants will benefit and, with Government support, landlords can improve their
properties at no upfront cost; and landlords will only have to make
improvements that are cost effective. This will be backed by a new law to give
tenants the right from April 2016 to request consent for improvements that the
landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
Nearly 2 million heating and energy efficiency measures have already been
installed across the country. With ECO being extended to 2017 an extra half a
million people will be able to keep warm for less, including many low income,
vulnerable households. This is on top of half a billion pounds of investment in
energy efficiency schemes over 3 years, including the Green Deal Home
Improvement Fund.
Dr Tim Ballard, Vice-Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said:-
"The Royal College of GPs welcomes this new fuel poverty strategy. It
marks an important turning point in acting on what we have known for some time:
that cold homes contribute to the most vulnerable people being unhealthy and can
even be lethal for them. The new strategy provides a long term framework in
which the health sector has a vital role to play, in partnership with
Government. The new funding for health-related pilot projects is especially
needed and will help build the case for more investment to cut the cost of
warmth and help reduce the burden of cold homes on the health service." The Best of Big Country
comes to The Atkinson
ROCK legends Big Country perform in Southport for the
1st time with their 'Best of Tour' at The Atkinson on Friday, 26 June
2015.
Following the incredible success of their 30th Anniversary 'Steeltown'
Tour, the triple Grammy winning band Big Country set off again on tour to
celebrate their stunning catalogue of songs, taken from their multi million
selling and Number 1 hit albums.
Big Country said:- "It's always great to perform in places that the band
have not been before, even after all these years; so we're really looking
forward to coming to Southport. The folks in the North West have always been up
for a great night out, so I'm sure Southport will help us to have a night to
remember!"
Performing their classic hits and live favourites including:- 'Harvest Home';
'Fields of Fire'; 'In A Big Country'; 'Chance';
'Wonderland'; 'Look Away'; 'The
Teacher' and many more.
The band are:- 'Bruce Watson' (guitars/vocals); 'Mark Brzezicki' (drums, vocals);
'Jamie Watson' (guitars/vocals) and former 'Simple Minds' bassist/vocalist,
'Derek
Forbes'; They will be augmented on stage by:- 'Simon Hough'
ex-front man for 'Denny Laine'
(Wings), 'Eric Bell' (Thin Lizzy) etc.
The Big Country - Best of Tour takes place on Friday, 26 June 2015, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £20 advance / £22 doors and are available
online or by calling the Box Office on:- 01704 533333.
Tickets are also available over the counter during, The Atkinson, opening hours.
Please be advised that there is a £2 booking fee for telephone and online sales. |
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Merseyside fund is launched to help local
disabled children
THE family of local Merseyside boy Alex Connerty are
backing the launch of an appeal to provide specialist equipment for children
with disabilities in the metropolitan area. Alex's mum is so grateful for
the specialist car seat she now has to keep her 9 year old son safe while that
she is urging local people to help change the lives of other local children.
Right now, there are 46 children with disabilities or a terminal illness in
Merseyside who need your help to get the specialist equipment that will really
change their lives. That's why leading UK children's disability charity Newlife
Foundation is launching the Newlife Merseyside Fund's new
website. It is an opportunity for
local people to help local disabled children and every penny donated or
fundraised in Merseyside is guaranteed to support vulnerable families in the
county.
Special disability equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, beds, seating and
communication aids can help give children independence, keep them safe, relieve
pain and overcome challenges. For instance, you could help a child be discharged
from hospital, take their first steps or kick a football with their friends.
Together we can really change the lives of children with disability and terminal
illness, supporting them to experience and enjoy life and all that we take for
granted.
Newlife has already helped 354 children in Merseyside through equipment grants
and loans totalling more than £325,600, so we know there is a very real need for
a specific county fund. In this way we aim to help more children, more quickly.
Statutory services in Merseyside often have a responsibility to make equipment
provision, but when help is declined, Newlife steps in. The charity challenges
many such decisions and has an impressive success rate. However, where we are
unable to overturn these decisions, we provide the equipment ourselves through
our range of grant and loan services. We do this with the support of front-line
health professionals across Merseyside who have helped Newlife help local
children in real need.
The Newlife Merseyside Fund will support equipment provision for under-19s
facing any significant disability, whether acquired through birth defect,
prematurity, accident or illness.
Vitally, the Newlife Merseyside Fund
website will enable local people to
find out who needs help in their county right now and highlight the support the
charity gives vulnerable families. It includes contact details for the Newlife
County Liaison Team, via calling them on:- 01543 431 444 or sending an email
to:-
local@newlifecharity.co.uk; and
shows specific ways people can help support children with disability and
terminal illness and their families.
That might involve taking part in a local sporting challenge, give you
information on how to organise a fundraising event; or even ask you to donate
£5 today! Volunteers are also needed to help raise awareness of what we do and
how we do it.
We hope that by launching the Newlife Merseyside Fund, children with
disabilities or terminal illness in the county won't have to go without the
equipment they need for everyday life.
Newlife Foundation supports families in Merseyside
through a range of free services:-
► Nurse staffed helpline
► Equipment grants
► Emergency equipment loans
► Sensory and developmental toy 'pod' loans.
Alex has a rare form of dwarfism which means that as well as
having short stature he is a very light weight. Sue Connerty, from the Maghull
area of Liverpool, said:- "Alex had outgrown his standard car seat – his
head was above the back of the seat and the straps didn't fit properly any more
so he wasn't secure. We went several places to get a larger car seat for Alex,
but because he weighs less than 15 kilos they wouldn't sell us one.
It was only when I got talking to Alex's occupational therapist that I found out
about specialist car seats. When we realised how much one would cost (£660) the
OT then told us to contact Newlife. We would have had to take out a bank loan to
be able to afford one ourselves.
Alex's safety had been a big worry for us; and the car seat we have now through Newlife
is perfect for his needs. Not only that but he is much more comfortable in the
new seat so he is happier to go out in the car. Alex is also able to get in it
himself, which gives him a bit more independence."
Newlife is the largest single provider of specialist car seats around the UK,
having invested more than £1.6million in the safety of disabled and terminally
ill children. This is because local authorities do not have a statutory
obligation to supply this equipment; instead, families can apply for a medical
exemption certificate which allows their children to be transported unsecured.
However, Newlife believes that the safety of disabled children is as important
as the in vehicle security of able bodied children and is currently campaigning
for a change in the law. In the meantime, the charity continues to support
families through provision. The first ever Lancashire
Business Expo
THE first ever Lancashire Business Expo
will take place on Friday, 17 April 2015, at the Preston Guild Hall. Supported by key players in Lancashire such as
UCLan, the NHS, Preston Guild Hall, Preston's College, the Shout Network,
Preston City Guild and the local Councils, it promises to be the biggest
business event to be held in Lancashire this year.
The Lancashire Business Expo aims to create a unique platform for hundreds of
local business owners and decision makers to meet, network, build relationships,
do business together and raise their profile within the region.
There will be a dynamic mix of around 100 organisations exhibiting, from blue
chip companies to professional service providers along with a whole range of
SMEs from a variety of industry sectors.
At least 800 visitors are expected to attend from across the region during the
course of the day, giving them the opportunity to meet with other businesses and
get a true feel of what the business community has to offer.
Ian Coupe, from The Shout Network commented:- "With considerable
investment in the region from central government, the local business community
looks to thrive and expand significantly over the next few years. This Expo aims
to gather the flourishing Lancashire community under one roof providing
limitless opportunities to develop business relationships."
Visitors will be able to attend business focused workshop sessions throughout
the day led by inspiring Lancashire organisations, with themes based around
business support, funding for business and key developments within the region.
Organisations can promote their businesses and build their brand profile at the
Expo by taking exhibition space. Further details can be found
online.
Attendance to the event is free of charge but it is essential to register.
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