Residents can still take the chill out of the cold weather this winter as Merton has some of its share of the grant from the Government Office for London, to tackle fuel poverty through the Coldbusters Grant Scheme.
Coldbusters 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.
Some residents in Merton have already had works carried out to their property under this scheme. There is still some funding left so residents are urged to contact Coldbusters to see if they are eligible for a free grant.
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.’
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 editors
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 PR and Press Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 3327
http://www.merton.gov.uk