BOROUGH MP Andrew Miller has been looking at the work the Warm Front scheme has achieved in his constituency.

The scheme combats fuel poverty by installing central heating and heat-saving insulation in vulnerable people’s homes.

Between June, 2000 and last September 3,658 householdsin Ellesmere Port & Neston have been helped with a total spend of £3,376,367.11 in the area.

The scheme manager, Eaga plc, reports that 1,160 households have benefited from a new central heating system, or repair to their existing system and 2,653 households have benefited from energy-saving insulation measures.

Mr Miller said: “The Warm Front scheme has helped some of the most vulnerable people in my constituency. I wholeheartedly support it and the work that it does.”

Of the households that have been assisted by the scheme, 367 had children under the age of four, 1,280 were households on DLA and 2,002 were households over the age of 60.

Householders applying for the Warm Front scheme also have the opportunity, since 2003, to undergo a comprehensive check to see if they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to.

This has resulted in an average weekly increase of £27.83 for those constituents who were found to be entitled to a new or increased benefit.

To qualify for assistance through the scheme, householders need to own their own home or rent from a private landlord, they also need to be in receipt of an income or disability related benefit.

Residents can contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.