Elderly urged to apply for insulation grants
Recently confirmed price increases from gas and electricity providers mean it is even more important that the elderly apply for grants to help insulate their home, a government minister has said. Over the last two months, npower, British Gas, Scottish Power and EON have all confirmed double digit price increases to their energy tariffs. This could leave pensioners in particular facing a struggle to afford to heat their homes, it is claimed. However, elderly pensioners can cut their costs by ensuring their homes are effectively insulated and can receive help with funding improvements through a government grant, according to minister for pensions reform Mike O'Brien, who recommended that they apply for the grants as soon as possible. "The grant is available through the Government's Warm Front scheme. It's free to call, so I urge all people getting Pension Credit to ring the Energy Advice Line to find out if they are eligible for further help," he said. The average price 2008 increase announced by energy providers is 15 per cent.
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