Therese is backing National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, to shine a light on the cost of energy, particularly in rural areas. She is also encouraging people to check that they are receiving all the help they are entitled to and to apply for grants to make their home more energy efficient.
Therese said: “As the weather turns colder, I’m backing the Action for Warm Homes campaign. Fuel poverty can be especially prevalent in rural Suffolk, especially for those who are off the gas grid. In 2013, I co-chaired a report that made some specific recommendations about the heating oil market that encouraged the use of buying groups to reduce the cost. Now I’m outside of government, I intend to take up some of those recommendations that haven’t yet been implemented and campaign for the better role out of ECO4 grants for the benefit of rural residents.”
Therese added: “There is help out there now though and I’m conscious some of that isn’t always claimed, be that the Energy Bill Support Scheme or similar. There are also specific grants for residents that are off the gas-grid and are on low incomes to improve the energy efficiency of their home and reduce costs, which I would urge local people or the families of vulnerable residents to take advantage of.”
Therese is encouraging people to get more information via Warm Homes Suffolk at www.warmhomessuffolk.org or by calling 0345 037 686 and Citizens Advice East Suffolk on www.citizensadviceeastsuffolk.org.uk or 0808 278 7866.
