Renfrewshire’s pensioners urged to find out about central heating boost

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A scheme to provide more central heating to local pensioners this winter has been backed by Renfrewshire Council’s housing spokesman.

Councillor Brian Lawson, convener of the council's housing and community safety policy board, has backed the extension of the Scottish Government's central heating programme, and is urging local pensioners to find out if they are eligible.

Councillor Lawson said: "Fuel poverty has dramatically increased in Renfrewshire in the last six months and many of those most at risk are pensioners. With winter almost upon us, elderly people especially rely on access to working heating systems. However due to rising fuel bills, many may be living with broken or ineffective central heating.

"The changes to the Scottish Government's central heating programme mean that there are more pensioners in Renfrewshire who may benefit from a new central heating system."

Councillor Lawson is urging local pensioners to take up the scheme which has been extended to cover the following households:

• those aged 60 or over who have never had a central heating system
• those who have a system which is broken beyond repair, are aged between 60 and 74 and are in receipt of the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit
• those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged 75 or over
• those who have a partial or ineffective system, are aged between 60 and 79, and are in receipt of the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit, and those who have a partial or inefficient system and are aged 80 or over.

The move comes as Renfrewshire Council announced that it is to give 12 debt advisors specialist training on how to provide greater support for people suffering fuel poverty. It will also upgrade central heating systems for council tenants suffering from fuel poverty.

The council's Advice Works debt management service has seen a 400% increase in the amount owed to gas and electricity suppliers because people are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

Renfrewshire Council also recently announced a £214,000 investment in financial advice services to help people facing problems of rising bills and interest payments caused by the credit crunch.

Councillor Lawson added: "Renfrewshire Council is committed to helping those who are feeling the worst effects of the credit crunch. We'd urge people to come forward if they are experiencing problems with debt including rising energy bills."

To find out if you, or one of your relatives is eligible for the Scottish Government’s central heating programme call
Scottish Gas' freephone number 0800 316 1653.

Alternatively write to:
Central Heating Programme
FREEPOST
SCO 4421
Edinburgh
EH6 0BR

Press release: Thursday 6 November 2008