Despite a massive increase in the number of Londoners unable to afford to adequately heat their homes this winter, the Mayor is failing to publicise the assistance available to help residents insulate their houses, according to London Assembly member Darren Johnson.
New figures indicate that more than one in five households in London will be in fuel poverty this winter. However, all reference to the Greater London Authority’s cut-price insulation scheme has been removed from the main GLA website, and the offer is no longer advertised on the Tube or on buses. The scheme offers discounted insulation kits from as little as £50, and free insulation to the over-70s and people on benefits.
The mayor responded to Darren Johnson’s concerns by agreeing to restore the advertising for the scheme onto the website.
Darren Johnson commented:
"Hundreds of thousands of people will struggle to keep their homes warm this winter. Help is available, but how are people supposed to find out about it if it isn’t even on the Greater London Authority website?
"Installing loft insulation can dramatically cut energy bills and make homes warmer as well as reducing carbon emissions. As the winter approaches, residents will be looking for help to keep their homes warm. The Mayor should be promoting the cut price home insulation scheme as widely as possible, instead of covering it up.
"We know the Mayor has plans to review the green homes programme, but until a new scheme is in place the current offer needs to be properly promoted."