Andrew Stunell MP Gets a Warm Welcome As Campaign For Warm Homes Hots Up

5.41.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 29th Nov 2006

IT'S not everyday your local MP pops in for tea, but that's exactly what's happening to local resident Arthur Lee this Friday 1st December. Andrew Stunell MP's visit is part of the Warm Homes Campaign that aims to cut the number of excess winter deaths and reduce cold-related illnesses by raising awareness of the help available to people who struggle to afford to heat their homes in winter.

Arthur Lee received free cavity wall insulation, installed by local company Hillserve. Now the whole house is a much warmer and more comfortable place to be.

Commenting ahead of the visit, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"I am particularly pleased to be supporting the Warm Homes Campaign. Fuel poverty is a growing problem and it is vital to help people make save energy in their homes.

"It is a scandal that nationally one in six households cannot afford to heat their homes properly. There were 50 excess winter deaths linked to cold homes last year in Hazel Grove and I am worried that this year, higher fuel prices could push the figure much higher.

"A more energy efficient house is good news for your fuel bill. In this day and age, no one should have to spend the winter without affordable heat for their home. I want to see an end to fuel poverty in Hazel Grove and across the rest of the UK."

Cold homes affect people's health and well-being and are linked to cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The elderly, families with young children, people with disabilities and others on low incomes are especially at risk from the dangers of cold homes. ENDS

Notes to the Editor

1. Photo and interview opportunity: Andrew Stunell OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove, will visit Mr Arthur Lee at Aysgarth Avenue, Romiley, SK6 4PX, on 01/12/2006 at 10:30. Members of the media are invited to attend. Please call Brendon Jones for more details and to confirm attendance: 0161 4067070

2. NEA is the national charity that tackles the heating and insulation problems of low-income households through improved energy efficiency. Fuel poverty is defined as the need to spend more than 10% of household income on fuel costs. The Warm Homes Campaign is NEA's annual campaign targeted at the public and the country's decision makers to raise awareness of fuel poverty and the benefits of improved energy efficiency.

3. Hillserve are based in Bredbury, Stockport. Their aim is to try and eradicate fuel poverty by bringing to the attention of the public the need to have cavity wall and loft insulation installed to help them to keep warm and to enable them to cut down on their heating bills. There are grants available for them to have this work done in lots of cases free of charge. There are also subsidies available for non-qualifying people to have this work done. For more information ring 0800 622415.

4. For a Warm Homes Campaign press pack or details on MPs' activities around the country, contact David Bootle, NEA Press Officer, on 0191 261 5677 or david.bootle@nea.org.uk