MP welcomes advice to keep constituents warm

20th December 2010
MP welcomes advice to keep constituents warm

Local MP, Gordon Henderson has welcomed the advice on offer to his constituents from the Home Heat Helpline and British Gas to help keep them warm this winter.

The Home Heat Helpline which can be contacted on 0800 33 66 99, is a free, not for profit phone line set up and funded by Britain’s energy companies to help customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm. Constituents can also access the service online by visiting www.homehelphelpline.org.uk.

The Helpline’s trained advisors can provide eligible customers with access to one or more of the following services:

• Grants for free cavity wall and loft insulation
• Reduced or ‘social’ tariffs
• The Priority Service Register which provides extra services for the elderly and disabled.
• Flexible payment options
• Benefit entitlement checks

The main priority for British Gas is ensuring the right support is available for its customers. The British Gas website which can be accessed by visiting www.britishgas.co.uk, offers help and advice such as if a customer’s boiler breaks down or they feel they are on the wrong tariff.

British Gas is currently offering free loft and cavity wall insulation for British Gas customers aged 60 and to anyone who is 70 and over.

British Gas are also urging its customers to call them immediately on 0800 048 0202 if they are having difficulty paying their gas and electricity bills.

Mr Henderson said,

“All the predictions point towards a bitterly cold winter this year. I am very concerned that many vulnerable people will be at risk because they are frightened to turn up the heating in order to keep warm.

“I welcome the steps taken by Home Heat Helpline and British Gas to help their customers survive the winter.”