Linda Gilroy MP is celebrating the work the Warm Front scheme does in Plymouth Sutton  to help the most vulnerable in the community to keep warm and stay healthy. 

Warm Front, which combats fuel poverty by installing central heating and heat saving insulation work into the homes of vulnerable people, has so far assisted 2485 households in Plymouth Sutton - a total spend of £2,777,448.15 in the area. 

Linda Gilroy MP said: “The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation to the homes of some of my most vulnerable constituents, and it has my total support. Affordable heat is a basic need that all should be able to benefit from, as a warm home is a healthy, happy home.”  

The scheme manager, eaga plc, has reported that 1179 households have benefited from a brand new central heating system or repair to their current central heating system in Plymouth Sutton and 1620 have benefited from energy saving insulation measures since they have operated the scheme (1 June 2000 to 30 June 2007). 

Householders applying for the Warm Front scheme also have the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive check to see if they are in receipt of all the benefits they are entitled to. Benefit Entitlement Checks (BEC) have been operating as part of Warm Front since June 2003, with the average weekly increase per client in Plymouth Sutton being found as £9.75. 

In terms of vulnerable groups of people who have been helped by Warm Front grants, eaga has reported that 299 households with children under the age of four, 597 households on DLA, and 1253 households over the age of 60 in Plymouth Sutton have benefited from improvements to their homes. 

To qualify, householders need to own their own home or rent from a private landlord, and they also need to be in receipt of an income or disability related benefit. Local residents can contact the Warm Front team on 0800 316 6014 to apply for a grant.