Scheme to target fuel poverty blackspots

Thousands of householders living along the Yorkshire coast and in the Ryedale district are being offered help to counter the soaring cost of heating their homes.

North Yorkshire County Council is spearheading the scheme after receiving £48,000 from the Government at the end of last year.

The cash will finance the innovative Hotspots scheme, which helps the elderly and those on a low income to access key services including advice on benefits and improving insulation in their homes.

A series of events in the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale areas will be held this week to publicise the scheme. More sessions are due to be held in the Selby district, which has also been identified as a key area, in the coming months.

The council’s executive member for health and adult services, Coun Clare Wood, said: “We recognise the vital role it plays in keeping people safe and warm in their homes, reducing fuel poverty and in turn, ill health. We intend to ensure that as many people benefit from the scheme as possible. ”

There has already been a dramatic increase in fuel poverty – defined as the need to spend more than 10 per cent of household income on fuel to maintain adequate warmth – amid predictions that bills will continue to rise by as much as 25 per cent by 2020. A total of 27 per cent of homes in Ryedale are officially classed as being in fuel poverty - the greatest percentage of households in the region.

The first event will be held today at Allatt House in Scarborough, before another session is at the Pickering Memorial Hall tomorrow. A third event will be held on Friday at Church House in Flowergate, Whitby. All the events will be staged from noon to 2pm.

More information is available from the Hotspots team on 01904 554465.

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