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Oct 2020

Last Updated: 22/10/2020

Health

Harrogate district braced for 'huge rise' in winter fuel poverty

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 22 Oct, 2020

Warm and Well, which combats the number of cold deaths in North Yorkshire, said referrals increased by 196% between July and September compared with last year — and the Harrogate district was responsible for more than a quarter of these referrals.

An organisation that combats fuel poverty in North Yorkshire has warned it expects a "huge rise" in referrals this winter, especially in the Harrogate district.

Warm and Well, which is a partnership project between public, private and voluntary sector organisations to reduce the the number of cold deaths, said referrals increased by 196% between July and the end of September compared to last year.

The Harrogate district was responsible for 28% of these referrals in what are usually the quietest months for Warm and Well, which believes the surge in referrals reflects the financial impact of the pandemic.

The organisation said in a statement it "expects a huge rise in referrals this winter as the financial effects of the coronavirus take hold across the region".

Julia Priestnall, project coordinator for Warm and Well in North Yorkshire, said:

“Our specialist advisers are working very hard to reach out to vulnerable people who are really struggling across the region. As the furlough comes to an end and the inevitable rise in redundancies there is a perfect storm of fuel poverty gathering.

"We have managed to help families in rural areas with properties that are ‘off the grid’ heat their homes when they have had no one else to turn to."

Those struggling during the pandemic saw a decrease in their council tax bill.

Rural crime costs millions for North Yorkshire each year.

Warm and Well, which is managed by Citizens Advice Mid-North Yorkshire and funded by North Yorkshire County Council, helps people deal with energy debt, switching suppliers or applying for emergency energy support.

Its #GearUpForWinter campaign focuses on fuel poverty within rural areas.

The organisation has visited parts of the Yorkshire Dales to help people keep their home warm during the colder season.

To refer yourself of someone you know to Warm and Well in North Yorkshire, click here.

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Harrogate district braced for 'huge rise' in winter fuel poverty

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