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Trust's funding brings hope
on fuel poverty
A new initiative to help people out of
fuel poverty could reach more than 1000 Liverpool residents in 2017,
and bring in hundreds of thousands of pounds in financial benefits.
The initiative is being funded through the Scottish Power Energy People Trust, an
independent charity which provides funding to registered charities to help
vulnerable and disadvantaged people out of fuel poverty.
The Trust is providing a £50,000 grant to the Mayor's Hope Fund which was set up
to prevent or relieve poverty in Liverpool.
In 2017, the City Council's Healthy Homes team will work with local
families on the new scheme. Qualified energy advisors will work with vulnerable
people to help them reduce their energy costs including switching to cheaper
tariffs and by maximising all income benefits due to them.
While more than 1000 people could be given advice, 150 of the worst hardship
cases will benefit from direct support through works carried out in their home
such as repairs to boilers and radiators, gas safety checks, whole house
draft proofing and the installation of LED light bulbs.
It is estimated that this move will deliver financial benefits for local people
of about £300,000 in 2017.
Ann Loughrey, Company Secretary and Trustee, Scottish Power Energy People Trust,
said:- "The Trust is pleased to be working with the Liverpool Mayor's Hope
Fund to help the team there deliver a really beneficial project that helps some
of the most vulnerable families across Liverpool."
The Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "This is fantastic news for
those people in the City finding it harder and harder to pay their energy bills.
It's great that the Mayors Hope Fund and the Scottish Power Energy People's Trust
are playing a significant role in pulling together partners to tackle causes of
fuel poverty and to help the most vulnerable."
Councillor Jane Corbett, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Social
Inclusion, Fairness and Equalities said:- "Tackling poverty is a priority
for the City and fuel poverty is an important part of that. This funding will
help make a real difference. There are thousands of people across the City
struggling to make ends meet due to the government's so-called austerity
programme, and it's good to see a business such as Scottish Power working with us
to address the impact of this programme on many people's, including our children
lives."
To be eligible you must own the house you live in; the property must have
inadequate heating and/or insulation, and the household will need to be in
receipt of benefits or low income and able to work with our advisers to
demonstrate that your heating bills are taking an unfair proportion of your
income.
A low income for these purposes can range from £10,000 for a single
adult no children to £28,000 for a household of 2 adults with 4 children
If you think you may be eligible or someone you know may be eligible please
contact via email,
or by calling:- 0800 0121 754. Trained advisers will respond to all enquiries.
Tenants in private rented properties should approach your landlord first; if you
are on certain qualifying benefits your landlord may qualify for Energy Company
Obligation (ECO) support towards the replacement of the boiler and insulation. |
