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Member of Parliament for Bradford East@DavidWardMP on Twitter and Facebook |
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David Ward MP <>
Thousands living in cold homes get extra support this winter
December 22, 2011 5:24 PM
Bradford MP David Ward has welcomed the announcement that Bradford is to benefit from a £2 million fund to protect vulnerable people living in cold homes in the winter months.
In Bradford over £200,000 will be spent providing items like thermal socks, blankets and increasing the number of volunteer snow wardens. The money could also be used to buy emergency electric heating and handyman services to cope with extra winter demand.
Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, the £20m Warm Housing, Healthy People Fund will ensure 10,000 homes in England will be warmer this winter. Councils will be focusing on elderly people, families with young children and people with disabilities who do not qualify for existing support to heat their homes.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"I am delighted that this additional support is being made available to help vulnerable people in Bradford keep warm this winter.
"Living in cold conditions leads to hundreds of unnecessary deaths each year, particularly among the elderly and people who already have health difficulties.
"This money could literally save lives."
Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Health Minister, Paul Burstow said:
"As a Liberal Democrat I want to do the right thing and protect the health and well-being of those who are most at risk.
"We know that time is of the essence when it comes to protecting people over winter, which is why the Coalition has released millions of pounds of funding now so that support is given as soon as possible."