We’re no longer out in the cold

WARM home . . . John and Lorna Moorhouse

OLDHAM has fitted the second-highest number of home improvements and new energy-saving measures in the country, new figures show.

Around 170 households in every 1,000 in the borough have benefited from a grant to improve their homes. The Warm Homes Oldham scheme’s completion of 15,416 installations, including boilers, loft insulation and cladding, in the last three years is the highest total in Greater Manchester.

Warm Homes Oldham was set up to help households struggling with rising energy bills — and to reduce the health problems associated with living in a cold home.

Funded by Oldham Council, Oldham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Oldham Housing Investment Partnership, it brings health and housing bodies together to tackle fuel poverty and improve health.

Energy efficiency and switching advice is also offered to help residents reduce their gas and electricity bills, as well as support for claiming benefits and help with clearing fuel debts.

The scheme has helped lift more than 2,300 households out of fuel poverty — meaning they are no longer spending more than 10 per cent of their income on heating bills.

Among the latest residents to benefit are Royton’s John and Lorna Moorhouse. John has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Following a home visit, a new boiler was fitted and a benefits check revealed the couple were entitled to an Attendee Allowance and pension credits, so more money is now coming into the home. The couple was also recommended to switch energy supplier, which has saved them £238 a year. Other agencies have helped out in other ways too.

John said: “Everyone has been brilliant, we can’t thank the Warm Homes team enough as without their help, none of this would have been possible — we are over the moon.”

To book a similar home visit, go to www.warmhomesoldham.org or call 0800-019 1084.