Strategy for Affordable Warmth

Luton's affordable warmth strategy was launched in 1998 to tackle fuel poverty by identifying those at risk and then putting them in touch with the help available.

When developing the affordable warmth strategy we had to take into account a number of factors, including improving energy efficiency and income maximisation.

We set up a steering group for representatives from the council, the voluntary sector and the health authority. This group identified which organisations and community groups could work together to help Luton's residents to achieve affordable warmth.

We then held a workshop to agree the main aims and objectives for the strategy. Further workshops have been held and we were able to review the progress of the strategy aims.

Once we had produced the strategy we were then able to set up a referral scheme for people who work with households at risk of fuel poverty to make fast track referrals for help. This help could be for benefits advice, for help from Social Services, or for help with the Government's Warm Front grant scheme. To see what is in the strategy, please click here: Affordable Warmth Strategy.

We have a program of free energy awareness training supported by the NEA, which referrers can attend. Referrers can be council workers, voluntary workers, or from the health sector. We work in partnership with Luton Citizens Advice Bureau, Warm Front and Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service to deliver assistance through our referral scheme.

The scheme helps us to tackle fuel poverty in a variety of ways:

Helping people to maximise their income or reduce debts so fuel bills are more affordable.
Helping people to take advantage of free government grants to insulate their homes or make their heating systems more efficient.
Develop and run discount schemes for householders who are not eligible for government grants.
Communicate up to date information on energy efficiency offers to households.
Organise talks on energy efficiency to groups of people.
Provide social care to ensure older people make best use of community resources and help them to live independently for as long as they wish.
Train front line staff of all agencies within the scheme to spot potential problems linked to fuel poverty and to take appropriate action.

The scheme has been successfully running for the past nine years. It has helped thousands of vulnerable residents in all sorts of ways, from increasing their weekly income to helping them to access social services support as well as insulation and central heating.

We are also providing free energy awareness training around Luton. Not only does this training help raise awareness of energy efficiency and fuel poverty, it widens the pool of referrers who are our eyes and ears in the community. They will help identify and refer vulnerable residents into the scheme thus enabling the scheme to reach those vulnerable households who desperately need our help.

For more information about training or if you have any questions or comments please contact us at affordablewarmth@luton.gov.uk