July 25, 2008
MP URGES FLOOD-HIT RESIDENTS TO TAKE UP WARM HOME GRANTS
John Healey demonstrates FloodSax to Michael and Joyce Gill
Floods Recovery Minister John Healey MP has appealed to Rotherham households still recovering from last year’s downpours not to miss out on heating and insulation grants which may be available to them through Warm Front.
The Government-funded scheme, delivered by green support services company eaga, provides up to £2,700 for home energy efficiency improvements to those on qualifying benefits.
Such financial support could prove a lifeline to those who had their heating or insulation damaged during last summer’s floods.
The MP for Wentworth delivered his Warm Front message while backing a recent eaga-led initiative to supply packs of absorbent FloodSax, which can act as an effective first line of defence, to all previously flooded homes in the Catcliffe area of Rotherham.
Warm Front can contribute towards the cost of repairing an existing heating system or installing a new one. It also provides loft and cavity wall insulation and draught proofing. To qualify for help residents must own their property or rent from a private landlord and be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
Since June 2005 more than 3,260 households in Rotherham, Wentworth and the Rother Valley have received help from the Warm Front scheme worth more than £4 million.
Mr Healey said: “Last summer's floods caused misery for thousands of people with widespread damage across large parts of the country. Rotherham was particularly badly hit and the big clean up is still very much under way for many homes, businesses and schools here. Better heating and insulation could be an extremely useful part of this recovery process and I would urge anyone who feels they may qualify for help from Warm Front to apply.
“The scheme is making a huge difference to the quality of peoples’ lives by making their homes warmer, dryer and more affordable to heat.”
Michael and Joyce Gill are one couple to have received FloodSax and benefited from the Warm Front scheme.
Mrs Gill said: “We have just had loft and cavity wall insulation through Warm Front. It was very easy to arrange and there was no fuss or mess. I’m also really pleased we’ve go it done now, well in time for next winter and in time for any more fuel bill rises. I would certainly recommend it to anyone else who qualifies.”
Ashley Guise, from eaga, added: “The floods of 2007 may seem a long time ago now but the memory is still very fresh for local residents and it is important to let them know that help may still be available. A call to Warm Front could bring some genuine and welcome relief – especially for those who may not have had sufficient insurance cover to replace damaged heating systems.”
On the anniversary of last year’s floods, eaga supplied complimentary FloodSax to all 180 properties in Catcliffe hit by the floods. Designed to be compact, lightweight and easily stored in the house, FloodSax are about the size of a small pillow but can hold up to 22 litres of water. They are light enough for the elderly or frail to use an can be stored for up to five years, considerably longer than sandbags which start to break down and become useless after just a few months.
For more information on Warm Front and to check eligibility please call the free phone help line on 0800 072 9006 or log on to www.warmfront.co.uk.