Affordable warmth is achieved when a home can be
adequately heated within 10% of the household's income. A home with
adequate heating and insulation will cost less to heat and is less
prone to damp and condensation and the associated maintenance
costs.
Fuel poverty
Fuel poverty occurs when a
household spends more than 10% of its income to adequately heat the
home. There are around three million households in fuel poverty in
England and over 3000 households at risk in Telford and Wrekin
alone. This figure is also on the increase due to rising fuel
prices.
There are many causes of fuel poverty including low household
income, poor insulation standards, inefficient or expensive heating
systems and under occupancy. Vulnerable groups tend to be older
people living alone, lone parents with young children and those
with long term illnesses.
The links between cold, damp homes and ill
health
People's inability to heat their homes adequately
has a direct impact on their health. Cold, damp homes, which are
inadequately heated, contribute to preventable illness amongst the
most vulnerable people in society. This is a huge burden for
families, local communities, the NHS and associated services, but
importantly the people affected.
People living in cold and damp conditions also tend to be more
susceptible to a range of common illnesses such as colds and flu,
with elderly people and young children being particularly at
risk.
Telford & Wrekin Affordable Warmth Strategy
The
Telford & Wrekin Affordable Warmth Strategy (pdf
138.6Kb) is a declaration by a range of local agencies to
confront these issues and work together to eradicate fuel poverty.
It sets a clear action plan for agencies within the borough to work
together and to continue to monitor and evolve and develop the
strategy by putting the tackling of fuel poverty high on the
agenda.
The action plan has five main objectives:
- To raise awareness amongst partner agencies of the
effects of fuel poverty and to encourage them to take action.To
share information across partner agencies to help target available
resources at fuel poor households.
- To improve the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of homes
occupied by fuel poor households.
- To improve affordable warmth, through increased take-up of
grants, benefits and advice.
- To improve the health and well-being of fuel poor
households.
For more information contact the Affordable Warmth team on 01952
381856.
Health Through Warmth
npower Health Through Warmth, in partnership with Telford &
Wrekin Council and NHS Telford and Wrekin is working to improve
levels of warmth, comfort and quality of life for vulnerable people
who have cold and/or damp related illnesses.
If your home is cold and damp and you have a cold related illness
such as respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
muscular/skeletal health problems or mental illness. We may be able
to assist you with:
- cavity wall and loft insulation
- boiler repairs and replacement (if broken)
- heating systems
- energy efficiency advice
- access to grants and other funding
For more information contact the Health Through Warmth team on
01952 381864, or email
htw@telford.gov.uk | |
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