53 DAY COUNTDOWN TO THE COLDEST DAY OF THE YEAR

21st November 2006

- The Home Heat Helpline launches countdown campaign and marks first anniversary with advice guides on keeping warm this winter -

- Those most at risk urged to use next eight weeks to protect themselves ahead of the winter freeze -

With just eight weeks to go until the coldest day of the year the Home Heat Helpline today launched its second year in operation by calling on people who have difficulty heating their home to take advantage of the Helpline and the free advice and grants available. Britain’s most vulnerable households include older people, lone parents and disabled people and the Home Heat Helpline wants to help them get ready ahead of possible freezing temperatures this winter.

The Helpline is launching an eight week countdown campaign to the coldest day of the year – traditionally 13 January (St Hillary’s Day). The campaign will raise awareness of the importance of properly heating the home during the winter months; help people access benefits to which they are entitled and check whether there are special grants available to help them.

The countdown campaign comes as the Helpline marks the start of its second year in operation. The Helpline was set up by the Energy Retail Association (ERA) on behalf of Britain’s energy retailers. It is the first time that all customers who have difficulties with heating their homes or paying for their energy bills have had one free number to call, no matter who their energy supplier is. The Helpline helped more than 38,000 people during its first twelve months. It is staffed by expert advisors, including former health professionals who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during cold weather. The Helpline can also take calls from intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers, such as friends, family, carers, social workers or health visitors.

Research carried out by the Home Heat Helpline shows that many of the UK’s older generation are still at risk of failing to keep warm this winter. The research shows that two thirds of over-55 year olds questioned only started to think about heating their home in winter less than a month before the cold weather sets in.
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association said,

“The Home Heat Helpline has helped more than 38,000 people in its first twelve months. But there are many, many more vulnerable people in the UK who run the risk of not being prepared as temperatures drop over the coming weeks. We want to hear from anyone who is worried about their energy bills to call 0800 33 66 99 in order to get advice but also hard cash to improve their homes if they are eligible. We have just eight weeks to go till the coldest time of the year – so people need to act now.”

The anniversary of the Helpline was marked with an event in Central London which brought together everyone who has made the Home Heat Helpline a success so far, including energy suppliers, charities and government departments. During the seminar newly appointed Energy Minister, Lord Truscott, gave a keynote speech that praised the Helpline in working with the Government to tackle the issue of fuel poverty. A wide range of charities and health professionals attended and additional campaign materials and a short documentary film was made available to them to spread the word among their members and people they help.”

Lord Truscott, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy said,

“We've done a lot to drive down the number of people in fuel poverty since 1996. But rising energy prices mean we have to keep up the pressure and use all the ways we can to reach out and help people. So we're working with our partners within and outside Government to ensure that we reach and protect the most vulnerable homes this winter. Calling the Home Heat Helpline is the first step many vulnerable people can take to helping themselves save money on their energy bills, making their homes warmer and finding out if there are any additional benefits that they may be entitled to.”

Gwen Vaughan – Chief Executive, Gingerbread said,

“Paying fuel bills remains an increasing concern for lone parent families, with many families having to juggle a wide range of monthly expenses to make ends meet. Gingerbread’s partnership with the Home Heat Helpline has provided our members with a friendly place to turn to for valuable advice, as well as helping them get prepared for the winter ahead. We look forward being helping more families this winter by referring them to the Home Heat Helpline.”

To help those worried about heating their homes this winter the Helpline has launched a range of guides for consumers, charities and advice groups. These include digital guides that can be downloaded from the Home Heat Helpline website (www.homeheathelpline.org) which contain information and advice on insulating homes properly; making sure homes are as energy efficient as possible and providing information on how people can register for extra services to ensure they are warm this winter.

Ends

Notes to Editors

Case studies, interviews, statistics on the Helpline’s first year and a specially commissioned film to mark the 1st anniversary are available from the Home Heat Helpline press office:

Four Communications
0870 420 3245
HHH@fourcommunications.com

Home Heat Helpline
Suzi Darsa – 020 7747 5436
Suzi.darsa@energy-retail.org.uk

1. The Home Heat Helpline operates from Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and from 10am-2pm on Saturday. There is a free minicom number (0800 027 2122) and the Helpline also has access to interpreters for those callers whose first language is not English. www.homeheathelpline.org

2. The Helpline is operated by The essentiagroup and is staffed by expert advisers, including former health professionals, who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during the cold weather. They are also trained and authorised to deal with intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers, such as friends, carers, social workers or health visitors

3. The Home Heat Helpline was launched by the Energy Retail Association which was established in October 2003 and is the only dedicated trade association for domestic energy suppliers in the UK. The Energy Retail Association’s mission is to identify areas where its members can work for the common good without competitive advantage.

4. The Home Heat Helpline is a free service for all British citizens and is funded by Britain’s six major energy suppliers which is the only telephone helpline service that aims to tackle fuel poverty. The energy suppliers spent £300 million between 2002 – 2005 on tackling fuel poverty and have committed to spend a further £700 million over the next 3 years on this important issue.

For further information please contact:

Niki Bowles, Head of Communications and Media Relations on 0207 930 9181 or 07730 898 641
Russell Hamblin-Boone, Head of Corporate Affairs on 0207 930 9177 or 07810 374 110


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