When I read that HfI had made the decision to move to an 18-hour heating
arrangement on estates, two things sprung to mind; the impact that this
would have, in winter, on elderly neighbours, and how the closure of
the Green Living Centre (also planned as part of these cuts) would
compound the effect of moving to 18 hours heating.
While I am sympathetic to the arguments that moving from a 24 to 18
hour arrangement could save up to £300k and have a positive impact on
the environment, I am concerned that a blanket “switch off” without any
other measures could plunge some residents into fuel poverty.
Households
do not need to be continuously heated in order to achieve healthy
temperatures if they are properly insulated. The soon-to-be-axed Green
Living Centre helped Islington residents by giving fantastic advice to
households in how they could manage their energy to avoid the discomfort
and ill health associated with fuel poverty.
While I reject the
Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition’s argument that cuts are
necessary, I do believe that if we are to have changes in services, they
need to be considered in the round.
If there is a blanket
switch-off without the provision of effective advice, or without the
necessary moves for insulation or renewable energy, we will be ensuring
that the most in need of affordable warmth will be left out in the cold.
Becky Wright, Islington Green Party.
This letter was published in the Islington Gazette on 3 November 2010. View the original here.