Extra cash left for heating grant

Consumer focus groups are encouraging households to put in claims for home heating improvements under a Government grant before the March 31 deadline.

The Warm Front scheme is set for a £30 million underspend this year as not enough consumers have signed up to programme offering heating and insulation improvements to households living on low incomes. The scheme is designed to offer the poorest households in England a way to save money on energy bills but up to 20% of the grant's £143 million funding has gone unclaimed so far.

Consumer Focus and National Energy Action are calling on people to put forward claims before this year's funding expires on March 31. Those eligible for Warm Front support include people living on certain income-related benefits, those living in poorly insulated homes or homes without a working central heating system.

Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus, said it was disappointing that more people had not applied for Warm Front help. She urged anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim before March 31 and make their home warmer and cheaper to heat.

Copyright Press Association 2012

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