Thousands of residents call energy charity for help with bills
An energy charity said thousands of struggling West Midlands people get in touch every month looking for help to pay their bills.
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Act On Energy has welcomed an ambitious plan by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker which will see 10,000 homes across the region upgraded to make them more energy efficient and help cut costs.
The £167 million energy efficiency fund will upgrade the coldest and oldest social and privately run homes with work including insulation, new doors and windows, solar panels and greener and smarter heating systems.
The advice charity said around 20,000 people seek its support each year and warned there are probably many more out there in need of help.
At the announcement of the fund in Friar Park, where 200 homes are being upgraded, Peter Forrest, programme director for Act On Energy, said: “We take calls from residents across the West Midlands who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.
“What they are doing is, when they heat their homes, they are really heating the outside. They need insulation and support to improve the energy efficiency and that’s what the scheme is going to do.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for those struggling across the West Midlands.”
He added: “I almost worry we can’t help everybody. We know we’re getting thousands of calls every month from people struggling all the time.
“We get probably around 20,000 people a year and there’s more out there we can help.
“We’ve got people on the ground out in this area and across the West Midlands and they are going into people’s homes and are going to help thousands of people.
“That can be short term. What this scheme will do is help us give long term help to householders so we don’t just help them this winter but we will help them for future years.
“Hopefully we can reduce the stress those people have in their daily lives and make such a difference to health and wellbeing.”
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, said: “We’re determined to tackle fuel poverty and climate change head-on.
“By making homes more energy efficient we will provide the vital assistance that our residents need.”
