Fuel Poverty Awareness Day appeal to east Antrim residents

Larne and Carrickfergus residents facing fuel poverty are urged to seek the help that is available to keep warm at home.
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The appeal comes from the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, in support to a campaign highlighting the harsh reality for families and households living with the problem.

Every winter millions of people across the UK struggle to stay warm and healthy at home. Rising energy costs, low incomes and energy inefficient homes leave them unable to afford even basic household essentials like energy, food and heating.

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Living in a cold home can have a range of impacts on physical and mental health and treating cold-related illness is estimated to cost the NHS in Northern Ireland £40m a year.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is joining National Energy Action NI in raising awareness about fuel poverty.Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is joining National Energy Action NI in raising awareness about fuel poverty.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is joining National Energy Action NI in raising awareness about fuel poverty.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has made the situation even more difficult for so many, as household finances are squeezed further, and health conditions such as asthma and COPD, which are worsened by cold homes, placing people at greater risk from the virus.

Today (Friday) is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day and council is joining the charity National Energy Action (NEA) Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the issue.

The Mayor said: “Families and individuals right across Northern Ireland are facing into another winter living in fuel poverty, and it is vital that we continue to highlight the situation and call for better ways of addressing this issue for the many thousands of people affected.

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“Council is privileged to support NEA Northern Ireland in their campaign, and anyone who would like to find out more about the advice and services provided by the charity, can do so by visiting their website at www.nea.org.uk/northernireland”

Pat Austin, director of NEA Northern Ireland, said: “Some ‘160,000 households in Northern Ireland are in fuel poverty and dreading the onset of the cold weather, with no idea of the support that may be available to them.”

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