Now is the time to prepare for cold winter weather as Merton has been awarded a share of a £3 million grant by the Government Office for London (GOL), to tackle fuel poverty through the Coldbusters Grant Scheme.
Coldbusters is managed by the Creative Environmental Networks. The scheme provides grants of up to £4000 to provide heating and insulation measures to residents who are vulnerable to the cold. This may include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and draught proofing. Residents may also be able to get replacement boilers or new central heating systems.
The scheme is open to residents in Merton who own or privately rent their home and who are receiving one or more of the following benefits:
§ Income Support
§ Income Based Job Seeker’s Allowance
§ Council Tax Benefit
§ Housing Benefit
§ Guaranteed Pension Credit
Stephen Alambritis, Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Economic Development, said: “Merton Council supports the Coldbuster Grant Scheme as it is an excellent way of tackling fuel poverty. I encourage residents who have difficulty in keeping their homes warm in the winter months to contact Coldbusters as soon as possible to see if they are eligible for a free grant.”
Having loft and cavity walls insulated could save residents up to £140 a year on fuel bills. Also replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a new model can make running heating 30 per cent cheaper.
To find out more contact Coldbusters on freephone 0800 358 6668 or write to Coldbusters, FREEPOST SEA 0116, Thornton Heath, CR7 8XT.
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Notes to editor:
1. Coldbusters is administrated by CEN, a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with local authorities
2. Heating and insulation measures are paid for through renewal local authority grant budgets, the Government’s Warmfront scheme and utility Energy Efficiency Commitment.
3. It is estimated that the NHS spend £1 billion a year on cold related illnesses which can be caused by inadequate heating.
4. The energy saving figures given are based on savings provided by DETR Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme
For further information contact Roland Taylor, CEN on 020 8683 6608
PRESS CONTACT:
Claire Bartlett
Senior Press & PR Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 3327