From London Councils
Vulnerable
residents in up to 1.75million homes across London will be offered
assistance by their local council to get a better energy deal and save
money.
The
pioneering scheme involving 17 boroughs, including Brent, and London Councils, the
organisation which represents the capital’s local authorities, was given
£686,655 by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) from
its Cheaper Energy Together fund.
The
initiative will help the capital’s most vulnerable residents by getting
them a cheaper tariff for their gas and electricity bills.
Each
borough plan to use their equal share of the funding to work with
residents who could benefit most from switching their energy tariff and
advise them what their options are. It is estimated that 325,000 homes
in the 17 boroughs are in fuel poverty which means more than 10 per cent
of income is spent on electricity and gas.
The
aim of the project is to sign up as many Londoners as possible,
especially those who struggle the most to keep warm, and collectively
negotiate a better deal with the gas and electricity companies on their
behalf.
Chair
of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor
Catherine West said: “People who most need to keep warm to stay healthy
are the least likely to make sure they are on the best energy deal. Some
of the most vulnerable Londoners will not turn the heating on because
they do not want to risk running up a large bill.
“This
cross borough scheme will make a real difference this winter by
advising residents about their options and helping them to switch to
cheaper gas and electricity tariffs or suppliers.”
Kingston
Council is the lead borough for the scheme. Council leader, Councillor
Derek Osbourne said: “With energy bills soaring, we must help Londoners
get cheaper energy deals and improve their home energy efficiency.
Councils across the capital will do all that they can to help people,
particularly the vulnerable and those on low incomes, keep warm at home.
“Switching collectively to one domestic energy provider to get better energy deals can benefit us all as residents.”
