WENDY: SNP FAILING RENFREWSHIRE’S ELDERLY

Winter deaths risk as new scheme helps just 173

As the winter months approach, Paisley North MSP Wendy Alexander has accused the SNP Government of failing Renfrewshire’s elderly after it emerged the Government’s alternative to the hugely successful free central heating programme has benefited only 173 residents across the whole of Scotland. On average just six people per local authority area. The old central heating scheme was delivering 14,000 new systems a year.

Nine years ago Labour MSP Wendy Alexander was the Minister who drove through the free central heating programme announced by Donald Dewar which benefited over 110,000 elderly Scottish residents in just 8 years. In stark contrast, the SNP’s alternative – the Energy Assistance Programme – introduced in April 2009 has so far only benefited the equivalent of 6 elderly residents in each of Scotland’s council areas.

Speaking about the figures, Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“As the winter months approach, elderly residents throughout Renfrewshire will be worrying about how they will heat their homes. For the first time in many years we see ‘excess winter deaths’ rise to a shocking over 20,000 deaths in Scotland. The free Central Heating programme helped thousands – It involved no embarrassing means test for pensioners. It is simply unacceptable that people in twenty-first century Scotland should be dying in winter because they don’t have adequate heating. That’s why Labour provided over 100,000 homes with new central heating systems.

“By abolishing our successful Central Heating Programme and replacing it with a scheme that has delivered just 173 installations in six months, the SNP is failing Renfrewshire’s elderly.

The new scheme is both more complex and means tested. But despite that I urge pensioners to check if they are eligible for energy efficiency measures to their homes which can cut bills. You can apply by calling 0800-512-012 or by logging onto www.energyassistancepackage.co.uk

As winter approaches, the SNP must explain why this scheme is not delivering for more families.”