Tackling fuel poverty together
30 January 2012
Fuel poverty affects twice as many households
in deprived areas of Rochdale than the national average.
Anyone spending 10 per cent or more of their
total household income on gas and electricity bills in order to
keep their home comfortably warm is classed as being in fuel
poverty. With bills rising by an average of 21 per cent in just
over a year it’s an issue that is affecting more and more
people.
The good news is there is plenty of help
available to make homes warm and healthy and the council and its
partners are working hard to tackle the problem.
Around 120 people from the council and the
health and voluntary sectors attended a fuel poverty conference in
Rochdale Town Hall’s Great Hall to find out more about grants and
other support and to share best practice.
Delegates heard that interviews with 301
people in the most deprived areas of the borough revealed that 38
per cent of respondents found it difficult to pay fuel bills and 43
per cent said financial concerns had an impact on their health and
well being.
Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert,
welcomed the partnership approach being taken to reduce the number
of people burdened with high fuel bills.
He said: “Fuel poverty affects everyone from
children struggling to do their homework in a damp house to elderly
people who can’t afford to keep their homes warm.
“It is an evil that affects far too many
people in the borough but by working together we can make a huge
difference. We can tackle it and we will do.”
Simple measures such as turning heating down
by just 1 degree, closing curtains at dusk to keep heat in, or
changing supplier can make a real difference to bills and there are
several organisations that offer advice and, in some instances,
financial support to local people.
To find out more contact the council’s advice
line on 01706 923513 or the Energy Saving Trust’s Greater
Manchester advice centre on 0800 512012 or visit
energysavingtrust.org.uk (external website)
Reducing fuel poverty is a key element of the
council’s Financial Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan which seeks
to tackle deprivation in the borough. The plan, which was recently
approved by the council, includes provision for further free
training for partners in basic money management and energy
awareness.