We have had a letter this week from Joan Ruddock MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, informing us that the Warm Front Scheme is undergoing several improvements effective immediately. The Warm Front scheme was introduced in 2000 and has helped almost 2 million households vulnerable to fuel poverty with a range of heating, insulation and other energy efficiency measures.  Eaga will manage the Scheme until the 31st March 2011, the end of the current spending period.

The significant improvements include changes to the levels of grant available to householders. The maximum grants available are increasing from £2,700 to £3,500, or from £4,000 to £6,000 for harder to treat properties off the gas grid.

In addition, the scope of the Scheme is being expanded to include the installation of low carbon technologies such as solar thermal heating and air source heat pumps, which will help householders generate their own low-cost, renewable energy. These technologies will initially be trialled in small-scale pilot programmes.

For more information, or to see whether you are eligible for a grant, please contact Eaga on 0800 694 0519. If you have elderly relatives who you think may be eligible, please do pass on these details to them.