"Energy suppliers have key role in dealing with fuel poverty in Wales " says new Minister
Energy suppliers have a key role to play in helping the government to reduce fuel poverty in Wales. This is the main message to come out of a meeting between the new Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Public Service Delivery, Andrew Davies, and the Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association, Duncan Sedgwick in Cardiff earlier this week.
"I am committed to reducing the number of households in Wales who pay more than 10% of their income on their fuel bills and are therefore classed as being in fuel poverty" said Andrew Davies. "Energy supply companies have a key role to play in achieving this reduction, working alongside the Assembly Government and through our Home Energy Efficiency Scheme."
"I am impressed with the wide range of measures that energy supply companies already operate in Wales to assist their vulnerable customers. While government will provide the vision and leadership, energy suppliers are a crucial part of our armoury in reducing fuel poverty."
"I look forward to working with the Energy Retail Association and its member companies as we step up the pace of tackling this problem."
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association, said, “It’s very important that energy suppliers and the Home Heat Helpline work closely with the Government in Wales to make some real changes for people who are still suffering with fuel poverty and who are unable to heat their homes. I would urge anyone who is worried about their electricity or gas bills to ring this freephone number 0800 33 66 99 now and get access to the advice and financial support that they are entitled to in time for next winter.”
The Home Heat Helpline is a free phone number 0800 33 66 99, on which callers can talk to the Helpline’s specialist advisers and get help on issues as varied as:
• The lowest tariff for the household
• Joining the Priority Service Register which allows many customers on benefits to get extra services such as large print bills or a free annual gas safety check of all gas appliances
• Free grants for home insulation from energy suppliers
• Accessing Welsh Assembly Government grants schemes to replace or install a central heating system.
*** ** ***
• The Home Heat Helpline - 0800 33 66 99 - is free of charge for all callers and is funded by Britain’s energy suppliers. It operates on Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. Calls can be taken in English or Welsh or a range of other languages.
• The Home Heat Helpline website at www.homeheathelpline.com includes advice guides in English, Welsh and other languages with energy efficiency guidance for the home.
ENDS
For further information:
In Wales:
Mari James
Email: homeheathelpline@m-j-associates.com
Tel: 029 20 504883 / 504013
In London:
Oliver Wright
Email: oliver.wright@energy-retail.org.uk
Tel: 020 7747 5436
Notes to Editors:
• The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) operates from Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and from 10am-2pm on Saturday. There is a free minicom number for deaf users (0800 027 2122), and the Helpline also has access to interpreters for those callers whose first language is not English. Calls can be taken in Welsh or a range of other languages.
• The Home Heat Helpline website at www.homeheathelpline.com includes advice guides in English, Welsh and other languages with energy efficiency guidance for the home.
• The Helpline is operated by The essentiagroup and is staffed by expert advisers, including former health professionals, who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during the cold weather. They are also trained and authorised to deal with intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers, such as friends, carers, social workers or health visitors
• The Energy Retail Association was established in October 2003 and is the only dedicated trade association for domestic energy suppliers in the UK. More information can be found at www.energy-retail.org.uk
• The Home Heat Helpline, launched in October 2005, is a free service for all customers in Great Britain and is funded by the six major domestic energy suppliers. It is the only telephone helpline service that aims to tackle fuel poverty. Since 2003 the six major energy suppliers have spent over £1 billion on energy saving schemes that support vulnerable households. In addition, they spend a further £100 million per year on their various voluntary company initiatives that tackle fuel poverty. The industry is fully committed to playing its part in this important issue and may spend even more on this over the next three years.
Back to media | 
