Many of us have experienced the unwanted feeling of a cold or damp home. Luckily for many of us, if this is the case we can simply turn on the heating or close a window. However, many people suffer from cold and damp homes which they cannot afford to keep warm. As a result, medical conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, bronchitis and asthma are adversely affected.

I have been working closely with a group called Eaga Partnership (a government appointed agency) to help tackle this problem in Tooting. and have worked with them to provide workshops for local people to  receive advice on fuel efficiency, benefit entitlements and home and street safety.

The Eaga Partnership have helped over 600 households in Tooting combat fuel poverty by providing grants to install heating and insulation measures in their homes. The Warm Front grants that Eaga Partnership provides allow households to apply for up to £2,700 for improved heating and insulation. I am keen to see this kind of success grow in Tooting. I am confident that it can following the government’s recent announcement that Government funding for the 2008-11 period for the scheme is just over £800 million which could help up to 400,000 vulnerable households

Eaga is one of thirteen organizations who have taken part in events i have organised, giving information and advice. other organisations that have taken part are: Community Safety Department from Wandsworth Council. To advise on saving energy and cutting energy bills the South West London Energy Advice Centre.To advise on services in the community Age Concern, the Pension Service, the Home Improvement Agency, TaxHelp for older People, the Citizens Advice Bureaux, The Furzedown Project and the Bengali Welfare Association.

You can find out more about benefits and entitlements for pensioners here.