Banish Winter Blues With Free Central Heating

For most of us the beginning of a New Year is a time of optimism, a chance to make a fresh start. But for older members of our community the turn of the year can be a daunting prospect.  The cold snap puts Renfrewshire’s most vulnerable residents at the risk.         

That’s why I’m delighted the Labour-led Scottish Executive has expanded its popular Central Heating Programme.

  A £5 million funding boost means private sector householders aged between 60 and 79 who receive guaranteed Pension Credit are now eligible under the scheme if their home central heating is partial or inefficient. 

Applications from people between 60 and 75 will be considered once the initial demand from the over-75s who qualify, as well as those waiting for new systems under the current scheme, has been met by Scottish Gas and its contractors.  

I recall being the Minister who introduced the free central heating scheme way back in 2000.  Visiting a couple who would benefit from the scheme was one of the last engagements Donald Dewar and I carried out together before he went into hospital for his heart operation. Since then almost 80,000 households in Scotland have received free central heating systems.

Many of these systems were installed in pensioners’ homes where there was previously no central heating. The new regulations also extend the Warm Deal programme to households with children with disabilities and those receiving the disability living allowance.  In future these homes will be eligible for insulation measures up to the value of £500. 

 GREEN LIGHT FOR RAILWAYS 

 Renfrewshire rail users will soon be benefiting from a funding boost to improve station services.      

Paisley Gilmour Street, Paisley Canal Street and Paisley St James are to be upgraded as the Executive ploughs £20 million into the rail infrastructure. 

Ticket vending machines will be introduced at Gilmour Street Station to reduce queuing.     Help Point Induction Loops will also be installed at all local stations. These devices will make rail travel easier for deaf or hard of hearing passengers in Renfrewshire.   

DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN  

Many of you will have seen the Executive’s hard-hitting domestic abuse campaign on television.  The advert depicts a woman going about her daily routine while constantly being reminded of her partner’s taunts and aggressive tone.

 Campaigns like this help to send out the message there is no excuse for domestic abuse.  The Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline number is 0800 027 1234.  It’s free, confidential, non-traceable and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.