Council warns over cold callers endorsing grants

A WEST Yorkshire local authority is urging householders some cold callers may be giving them false information about home insulation improvement grants.

Some cold callers have been claiming that the grants they offer are part of a Wakefield Council initiative and the authority’s Home Energy Team is warning that some of these claims may be false.

Members of the public are advised to be vigilant and check any offers they receive on the doorstep with Wakefield’s Home Energy Team and always ask for ID.

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The council does not approve of or undertake cold calling and all Wakefield Council endorsed insulation grant schemes always send out a letter to homes first.

Coun Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, last night warned: “People need to check that uninvited callers selling insulation schemes, especially if they claim they have council’s backing, are what they seem.

“If you are unsure about their claims, ask for evidence.

“We will always inform you first if we are sending someone to your home so if you are not expecting us, then please ring and check.”

Current council home energy efficiency improvement initiatives/grants include:

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-Wakefield Energy Savers – free and discounted insulation delivered in partnership with British Gas.

-Wakefield Low Carbon Communities - insulation in Normanton and Featherstone delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Energy Services and Premier Insulation.

-Wakefield Energy Savers Loan – district-wide interest free loan for home energy efficiency improvements.

There are currently no other energy efficiency schemes that the council is working on and householders are warned other claims may be false.

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If householders have any doubt, they are advised to call the council’s Home Energy Team on 08449 020 222 from Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm to confirm the validity of any scheme.

Earlier this year the Yorkshire Post revealed the region was facing the worst fuel poverty crisis in decades. The number of Yorkshire households likely to go cold this winter could rise to 600,000 - a figure that has nearly doubled in the past four years.