Kingston Pensioner Warms up this Winter

26.11.04

Local Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey celebrated Warm Homes Week on Friday 26th November by visiting Kingston pensioner Mrs Edith Green, a recent beneficiary of Kingston Council's 'Coldbusters' grant which allowed her to have central heating installed at home.

Mrs Edith Green described the positive changes to her home as 'a life-changing experience' and was proud to show off her warm home to her local MP and representatives from the National Energy Association, Creative Environmental Networks and Kingston Council.

Edward Davey MP, whose portfolio as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister includes housing, commented:

"It was great to see Mrs Green happy, comfortable and, most importantly, warm in her own home. Coldbusters is a hugely successful scheme and has made a huge difference to those of my constituents who, like Mrs Green, simply cannot afford to keep warm.

"However, Mrs Green's story is by no means the norm. The National Energy Association estimates that some three million households in the UK are fuel poor, and unable to afford to heat their homes to the necessary standards required for health and comfort.

"Warm Homes Week is crucial in raising awareness of the real and terrible plight that many of the more vulnerable members of our society find themselves in at this time of year. In London alone the death rate went up by 2,000 during the last winter.

"In the 21st century no one should go cold in their own home because they do not have enough insulation or an adequate heating system or sufficient money to meet the rising cost of fuel bills. Fuel poverty is a serious and urgent problem faced by too many local people and we need to work hard to eradicate it once and for all." Warm Homes Week runs from 26th November-6th December - more information and energy-saving tips can be found on the Warm Homes Week website.