Charity for elderly flooded with complaints over heating plan
October 8, 2008
According to officials from the charity Age Concern the charity has been flooded with complaints relating to the government’s Warm Front home heating scheme. The charity has stated that the level of complaints has soared over the past three years, and that in the past year alone it has received five thousand complaints relating to this scheme. In the meantime the government is announcing additional measures to try and help the elderly and more vulnerable.
Amongst the reasons for the thousands of complaints that the charity has received are poor workmanship, delays, and also pensioners having to contribute financially.
With regards to some of the new measures being brought in by the government one official from Age Concern stated: “Energy efficiency measures are a key part of the long-term solution to fuel poverty, but problems with the schemes the government are using to reach low income households are leaving many without the help they need.”
Pensioners have complained that they cannot afford the contributions that they often have to make, which can sometimes run into a couple of thousand pounds. This is because the limit under the Warm Front scheme is £2700 no matter what work is being carried out. There were also complaints that pensioners had to pay extra because of poor workmanship for work that had been carried out, and that delays had left some without any heating and hot water in their homes for a longer than reasonable period.
Age Concern added: “Wide-ranging reforms are needed to address pricing inequalities which are leaving many of the poorest households paying more for their energy than wealthier customers.”
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