13 October 2006

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Angela Gunning, joined walkers from Guildford Borough Council, Age Concern Surrey and St Helen's in Merseyside on a tour of Guildford earlier this week to highlight the problem of fuel poverty.

The walk coincided with a special fuel poverty open day at the Guildhall, organised by Guildford Borough Council's Care and Repair service and Age Concern Surrey to help tackle fuel poverty.

Says Gill Walker, Age Concern Surrey's Deputy Chief Executive:

"Local people worried about rising heating bills were able to get free, independent advice about heating grants, insulation, problems with fuel bills, or information about switching fuel provider".

Lead Councillor for Housing, Cllr Andrew French, adds:

"The open day was part of a nationwide campaign to put an end to the misery caused by fuel poverty. A household is said to be living in fuel poverty when it has to spend 10% or more of its income to maintain an adequate standard of warmth. Working with Age Concern Surrey our aim is to provide a more joined-up service to help tackle these issues".

The walkers from St Helen's are visiting 18 districts up and down the country to highlight the good work being undertaken to fight fuel poverty. They started their route on 25 September in St Helen's. Prior to their walk around Guildford the walkers were in Reading and they continued their tour with a walk in Epsom. They are aiming to complete their journey on 16 October in Westminster when they deliver their fuel poverty strategy to MPs at the Houses of Parliament.