Herefordshire Council is taking a practical step to help people cope with the rising costs of heating their homes by offering all people in the county over 60 years of age £500 towards insulation and heating controls.
The news comes in response to energy company Npower, the UK's fourth largest energy provider, which last week announced increases in prices for domestic customers with average rises of 12.7 per cent for electricity and 17.2 per cent for gas.
Based on the average Npower increases for electricity and gas, this means its average dual-fuel customer will now pay more than £1,000 per year.
Councillor Olwyn Barnett, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member social care (adults and health), said: "These price rises will have a big impact on Herefordshire residents who will be burdened with higher fuel bills. In the Midlands area, there is a 10.4 per cent electricity rise and 17.6 per cent gas increase for Npower customers and it is likely other energy suppliers will follow suit.
"For many people, particularly the vulnerable, price hikes mean very real decisions between choosing to heat their home or doing without other essentials.
"We don't want anyone to be cold in their homes and this £500 payment will help those most in need ensure their homes are as energy efficient as possible. It can go towards insulation which prevents warmth from escaping through walls and roofs or could be used to make sure heating controls are working efficiently and homes get to the right temperature," she added.
The £500 is payable through the Special Energy Efficiency Scheme (SEES) and all county residents in receipt of an income or disability benefit can also qualify for assistance.
Herefordshire Council has recently launched its Affordable Warmth Strategy with the aim of reducing fuel poverty in Herefordshire. There were an estimated 8,540 (10.7 per cent) of homes in Herefordshire in fuel poverty in 2005 (based on a House Condition Survey 2005). The definition of fuel poverty is where a household has to spend 10 per cent or more of their income on energy.
This fuel price rise will only act to undermine the energy efficiency measures implemented and income and disability benefits taken up over the last few years aimed at tackling fuel poverty. A special adviser for Help the Aged said that a one per cent rise in fuel bills plunges about 40,000 people into fuel poverty nationally.
Everyone in the county can limit the cost of higher bills by ensuring that their homes are as energy efficient as possible. The less energy used, the fewer the emissions produced, so any action will help reduce the impact of climate change as well.
Making your home more energy efficient not only makes financial sense but is another step towards sustainability, a campaign being run by Herefordshire Council which aims to encourage people to lessen the impact their activities have on the people around them and reduce their own carbon footprint.
As well as reducing bills by making sure homes are as energy efficient as possible, residents are also urged to check they are receiving all the state financial assistance they are entitled to. Contact the council's Welfare Rights department on 01432 363683 to find out more.
In addition, some energy suppliers now offer social tariffs to vulnerable clients who are in difficulty paying their fuel bills. These tariff systems will vary according to the supplier but generally the energy supplier will help people manage their energy bills as effectively as possible and may help find the most affordable prices. They may also set up a payment plan that best suits the client.
To find out more about reducing your energy bills, contact Herefordshire Council Energy Efficiency Department on 01432 260398 or the local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.
The 'Steps to Sustainability' simple guide, available from the website and in leaflet form from Info Shops and council offices from the end of January, illustrates what the council is committed to doing to promote sustainability and tackle climate change.
The website also has detailed information on recycling - where and what, including bring and household waste sites and kerbside collection.
For more information on the 'Steps to sustainability' campaign contact: the Sustainability Unit on 01432 261930 or email gem@herefordshire.gov.uk