From this week, everyone in South Thanet will be eligible for at least 50% off loft and cavity wall insulation, with everyone on low incomes and all pensioners able to get these for free. Cold weather payments for the most vulnerable will be increased from £8.50 to £25 a week.

Steve said:

"We’ve all been hit by high energy prices, so I am determined that people in South Thanet get as much help as possible to save energy and cut their bills. That’s why I’m backing a new £910m Government levy on energy companies that will mean people in South Thanet get much cheaper insulation.

"Thanks to the extra help this will provide, people in South Thanet could save as much as £250 to £300 a year, every year, on their fuel bills. Insulation is now free for pensioners and people on certain benefits, and is half price for everyone else. I think this kind of practical help will make a huge difference.

Call 0800 512 012, and ask what help is available to you.

                      Warm Front Update

Steve is celebrating the work of the Warm Front Scheme in tackling fuel poverty in South Thanet and is urging more local residents to come forward and get help with measures that could cut their energy bills by anything up to £600 a year.

Steve said;

‘Solutions which tackle climate change are vital, but they must also address social issues such as fuel poverty at the same time.

The Warm Front scheme aims to help people with energy efficiency and is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden’.

The Warm Front scheme works by providing contributions of up to £2,700 towards insulation and heating measures for the elderly, disabled and low income families.

Green support services company eaga reported record take up figures since Warm Front started in June 2000 with 3163 households in South Thanet having benefitted from the scheme.

These households benefited from a range of energy efficiency measures including cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.

To date £2,705,666.50 has been invested by Warm Front in the South Thanet area. Many of those who benefitted from the scheme are reporting average household savings of anything between £300 and £600 per year.

Rising fuel prices and the need to protect the environment from dangerous CO2 levels are making the work of Warm Front more important.

As well as benefitting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date 111 homes in the South Thanet constituency have increased their average weekly income by £24.78.

To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

To find out more about the scheme and to see if they qualify Steve is urging households to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.