WARM HOMES CAMPAIGN 2007

The Warm Homes Campaign 2007 drew to a close in December and was NEA and Energy Action Scotland's 17^th annual winter fuel poverty campaign. Launched at the House of Commons on the 19^th November, in association with eaga plc and with the support of Defra, it aimed to raise awareness amongst key decision makers and members of the public of the problem of fuel poverty and the availability of energy efficiency grants.

Over 100 MPs, Members of the Scottish Parliament, Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Welsh Assembly Members participated in the campaign by either visiting constituents who had benefited from Warm Front or another scheme, attending a campaign event in their constituency or issuing a message of support to the local press where the accompanying media coverage ensured that the key messages reached around 24 million people. Notable participants in this year’s campaign were: Yvette Cooper MP, Minister for Housing, Department of Communities and Local Government; Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State, Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Phil Woolas MP, Minister of State, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability & Housing and Margaret Ritchie MLA, Minister for Social Development.

In addition to the campaign visits, this year’s campaign saw the return of the highly successful Warm Homes Campaign Award Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to showcase the wide variety of work that is going on across the country to tackle fuel poverty. Almost 60 applications were received from a variety of statutory and not-for-profit organisations.  Of these, twelve were selected to receive grants (with eleven events going ahead). Events ranged from family activity days to launches of Affordable Warmth strategies, and from tree planting to eco-bingo and an art competition. NEA would like to thank all applicants and to congratulate all of the winners for their successful events.

For further information on the campaign or to provide feedback on your campaign activities please contact Jen Carruthers.

Reviewed: 10/06/2008