The Warm Homes Campaign 2008 drew to a close in December and was NEA and Energy Action Scotland's 18th annual winter fuel poverty campaign. Launched at the House of Commons on the 18th November, in association with eaga plc and with the support of DECC, 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 140 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 10 million people. Notable participants in this year’s campaign were: Ed Milliband MP, Secretary of State at DECC; Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State EFRA; Malcolm Wicks MP, Special advisor to the Prime Minister; Phil Hope MP, Minister for Care Services and the East Midlands; Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State DCLG; Vincent Cable MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shadow Chancellor; Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions; Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State EFRA; Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for Social Justice, Equalities and Housing and Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Families.
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 50 applications were received from a variety of statutory and not-for-profit organisations. Of these, eleven were selected to receive grants (with eleven events going ahead). Events ranged from the launch of an energy efficiency advice line to a poster competition, and from ballroom dancing to advice road shows. 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 Lesley Tudor-Snodin Press and PR Officer
