Stunell launches the Home Heat helpline as countdown starts to the coldest day of the year

9.30.06am GMT Thu 23rd Nov 2006

With just eight weeks to go until the coldest day of the year, local MP Andrew Stunell today launched the Home Heat Helpline, a free helpline that offers free grants and advice to help people who have difficulty heating their homes.

Commenting at the launch, Mr Stunell said:

"A warm home is a basic necessity, but nearly three million people will struggle to heat their homes this winter. Here in the North West, 72 percent of lone parents say they only heat selected rooms to reduce their bills.

"But people don't need to go cold - there are grants and services out there to help. If you or someone else you know is worried about heating bills then take action now before winter sets in and give the Home Heat Helpline a call on free phone 0800 33 66 99.

"The Helpline helped 38,000 people last year, and I want to make sure that Stockport residents make the most of the service."

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." END

Notes to Editors

1. 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

2. 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