Residents urged to cosy up with Warm Front scheme

Manchester residents are being urged to take advantage of a scheme to help them keep warm this winter.

Manchester City Council is letting people across the city know about the national Warm Front scheme, which provides heating and insulation improvements to make homes warmer, healthier and more efficient.

The government scheme was launched last April but money is still available for households.

Grants worth up to £3,500 are available for improvements such as loft insulation, draught proofing, cavity wall insulation, hot water tank insulation and work to convert solid fuel fires into more efficient glass fronted fires.

In other cases, where oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended for the property, grants of up to £6,000 are available.

The scheme is available to people who either own their own homes or rent them from private landlords.

They must also be receiving income-related benefits such as pension credit, income support or jobseeker's allowance.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "The cost of keeping warm is a serious concern for a lot of Manchester residents and I'd urge residents who think they might be eligible to find out more about the Warm Front scheme."

To find out more about the scheme, or to find out about eligibility criteria, contact Carillion - which runs the scheme - on 0800 316 2805 or e-mail enquiry@carillionplc.com