Helping vulnerable people and affordable warmth
Clearly the rise in household energy prices can have a serious impact for people on a low income, especially if they are less able to regulate their body temperature (including older people and young children).
This will also effect those living in ‘hard to heat’ homes and those with health problems that are susceptible to excessive heat or cold.
The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA)
The Home Energy conservation Act 1995 focuses local authorities’ attention on improving the energy efficiency of all homes and in doing so seeks to tackle fuel poverty and climate change. It puts a duty on local authorities to draw up strategies to improve energy efficiency in all housing both in the public and private sector.
Wolverhampton City Council’s role and the Affordable Warmth Strategy
Wolverhampton City Council has put steps in place to help the most vulnerable people and those on low incomes that are unable to afford their gas and electricity bills as well as ensuring that their properties have improved heating and insulation. Wolverhampton was one of the first Local Authorities in the country to develop an Affordable Warmth Strategy.
Tackling fuel poverty
This was developed in response to the growing number of people falling into fuel poverty and borne out of a commitment to helping the most vulnerable people in the City. Fuel poverty occurs where more than 10% of a person’s income is used to heat their home.
Partnership working
This is being achieved by working with a number of partners to deliver new energy efficient central heating systems and installing insulation (for lofts and cavity walls). However, as prices continue to increase, more and more people are facing difficulties in paying their bills.
Wolverhampton City Council is determined to meet these challenges through working with its partners and constantly reviewing the affordable warmth strategy to ensure it delivers its targets. Our partners include Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust, Burrows Insulation, National Energy Action, Eaga, Hestia, npower (Health Through Warmth) and British Gas. To find out how this is being achieved please go to our affordable warmth strategy website at the following link www.wolverhampton-affordable-warmth.org.uk |