'FIXING ONE PROBLEM IS NOT ENOUGH' ON FUEL EFFICIENCY FOR PENSIONERS (West Bromwich and Warley Liberal Democrats)

West Bromwich and Warley Liberal Democrats <info@westbromwichandwarleylibdems.org.uk>

'FIXING ONE PROBLEM IS NOT ENOUGH' ON FUEL EFFICIENCY FOR PENSIONERS

October 6, 2008 6:18 PM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats

Lorely Burt MP has kept her election promise to introduce her Bill in Parliament. Local MP, Lorely Burt has written to Council bosses asking them not to scrimp on fuel efficiency measures for borough pensioners after hearing of the concerns of one pensioner who says she will not be able to afford hot water and heating for her home this winter.

Ivy Howell of Lodge Road in Knowle lives in a one-bedroomed bungalow and had work carried out this summer under the government's Decent Homes programme.

She had radiators and pipes replaced, but was left with the same gas boiler that heats a cast iron tank for hot water. She also has an electric shower and runs an electric fire.

She told Lorely that since the latest gas and electricity price rises her monthly fuel bill will go up from £77 to £114, which she cannot afford to pay.

Mrs Howell claims were backed up by a heating contractor who said that old boilers and tanks should be replaced by condensing combination boilers that heat water instantly under the Decent Homes scheme.

Lorely said:

"I will have written to Solihull council to stress that cutting corners over fuel efficiency really doesn't result in value for money and worse still, it leaves pensioners like Mrs Howell unable to heat their homes after the latest hikes in fuel prices.

"Fuel efficiency must be top of the agenda for the council if we are to avoid any further rise in unnecessary winter deaths due to fuel poverty."

Mrs Howell has since been contacted by Solihull Council, but had two visits cancelled at the last minute on Thursday and Friday last week. She now hopes to discuss the problem during a visit from a council officer scheduled later this week.

"I will await the outcome of that meeting, but fixing one problem is not enough. I will be seeking reassurances from the council that work done under the Decent Homes scheme does not leave borough pensioners in continuing fuel poverty and unable to pay their bills, " said Lorely.

ENDS