Bassetlaw District Council is supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2012, on Friday 10th February. Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is a national campaign which aims to highlight the help available to people living in a cold, damp home.

The Council are working to help householders in the district to overcome the issues of fuel poverty which is caused by high energy costs, poorly insulated homes and low incomes.

Councillor Alan Rhodes, portfolio holder for Housing, said, “Living in a cold damp home can lead to extremely poor health, especially in those who are vulnerable - such as older people, young children and those with long term illness and disabilities.

“It is important that people know there are schemes in place to help them, such as the Council’s Warmstreets Scheme and Nottinghamshire’s Warm Homes, Healthy People Campaign.

“The Warmstreets Scheme is aimed at private households, including private tenants and provides loft and cavity wall insulation at subsidised rates, or even free of charge for some. To contact Wamrstreets, please telephone 0800 043 9569 or from a mobile 0333 577 9569.

“The Warm Homes, Healthy People Campaign is aimed at supporting the elderly through the cold winter that we are now experiencing. For further details please telephone Nottinghamshire County Council on 0300 500 8080.”

The Council’s Sustainability Officer, Kerri Ellis added “The amount we pay on fuel bills has been rising over the last few years, with the average dual fuel bill for standard tariff customers at around £1300. People are cutting back on essentials but, by improving the energy efficiency of a property these decisions become a little easier.

“The most important message of Fuel Poverty Awareness day is that there is help out there for vulnerable households to ensure they keep warm and well.”

If you require advice about your energy bills then you can contact the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to access help and advice.