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Orkney MSP urges local householders to contact helpline for advice on fuel bills 27 March 2009

Liam McArthur visits Glasgow base of Home Heat Helpline and backs service to assist vulnerable households across constituency

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur is urging people across Orkney who are concerned about the cost of fuel bills to call the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) for free advice and financial support following a visit to the service’s Glasgow offices.

People who are spending over 10 per cent of their income on paying their fuel bills are considered to be fuel poor, and fuel poverty disproportionately affects older people, single parents and those living with disabilities.

Fuel poverty disproportionately affects older people, single parents and those living with disabilities. One call to the Home heat Helpline can provide:

• direct support through access to reduced energy tariffs access to grants for free home insulation
• Information about flexible payment options to help vulnerable customers
• Access to the the Priority Service Register for people with disabilities or other health problems.

The Home Heat Helpline has received support from Help the Aged; Age Concern; Citizen’s Advice; Energy Action Scotland; Energy Saving Trust; Counsel and Care and One Parent Families Scotland/ Gingerbread. As part of its winter campaign, the stepped-up service will also allow worried householders or their relatives, friends and carers to make their enquiry over the internet at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Lending his support following a visit to the helpline in Glasgow, Mr McArthur said: “I want to ensure people across Orkney who may be worried about fuel poverty –particularly as the credit crunch continues to squeeze household budgets – that there is help and advice available. That’s why I’m urging anyone in my constituency who is concerned about their fuel costs – or those of a relative, neighbour or friend – to call the Home Heat Helpline free of charge on 0800 33 66 99. There will be advisors on standby who can help organise new tariffs, insulation grants and advice and support on how to keep warm and save money on their bills.”

The campaign is also backed by Scottish actor Richard Wilson, who helped to launch the Home Heat Helpline winter campaign 2008/9. . He said: “I’m worried people are not getting the support they are entitled to on energy bills – whether it’s pensioners, single parents or people with disabilities, there are special rates, support through free insulation and wider help out there all for the taking. But people need to know what’s available – that’s why I am asking everyone who thinks they may qualify for support to call the Home Heat Helpline today!”

For more information, ring the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 or log on to www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

ENDS

For further information, photos or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline, please contact: Barry McPherson on 07824 638 457 or barry.mcpherson@bigpartnerhsip.co.uk

Notes to editor

• The Home Heat Helpline operates from Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and from 10am-2pm on Saturday.

• The Home Heat Helpline is a free number – 0800 33 66 99 – providing vulnerable customers with a direct link to specialist teams at their energy supplier, who can deliver one or more of the following services:

a. The Priority Service Register which provides extra services for people who are elderly or disabled including bills in large text or Braille, security passwords and an annual gas safety check
b. Grants for free home insulation
c. Flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt d. Benefits entitlement checks

• The Home Heat Helpline is managed by the Energy Retail Association and paid for by contributions from Britain’s major energy suppliers – see below.

ERA members signed up to a voluntary disconnection safety net in 2004, which means that no vulnerable customers will knowingly be cut off, even if they are unable to pay their bill

• The Energy Retail Association (ERA), formed in 2003, represents the major electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic market in Great Britain. All the main energy suppliers operating in the residential market in Great Britain are members of the association – British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy.