LOCAL MP David Davies is urging people in Monmouthshire to contact the Home Heat Helpline for free help and advice on their energy bills after it was revealed that 8,000 of the area’s households are missing out on the support they are entitled to.
A range of measures to help keep heating costs down, such as free or cut-price insulation, are available from energy companies. However, research by the New Policy Institute on behalf of the Home Heat Helpline found that millions of people across the country are failing to take advantage of free help.
In Monmouthshire, 8,000 homes – 22 per cent of the total number in the area – are eligible for energy efficiency measures but have failed to claim them. This is despite estimates that insulating lofts and cavity walls could help save the typical household around £250 on its heating costs.
By contacting the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99, people will be given the advice they need to access this help. Since opening five years ago, the Helpline has assisted around 190,000 people. This winter alone, huge demand saw record calls of 20,000 and a 600 per cent increase in the number of enquiries.
Mr Davies said: “Thousands of my constituents in Monmouthshire are missing out on free help which could reduce their energy bills. Given the recent cold weather, it is vital that people take advantage of all the assistance which is available.
“Unfortunately, too many are failing to claim because they don’t think the help on offer is meant for them. We need to break down those barriers so that more of us claim what we’re entitled to.
“If you want help or advice on how to keep your bills as low as possible, or know someone else who does, contact the Home Heat Helpline to speak to a trained advisor”.
ITV weather presenter Siân Lloyd is also backing the Home Heat Helpline.
She added: “As we emerge from one of the coldest winters on record, the Home Heat Helpline has been a lifeline for the most vulnerable who have been worried about paying their energy bills. There is lots of free help out there and I urge those most in need to call today to get the support you are entitled to”.