Free Central Heating - NOT UNTIL APRIL 2008!
13th November 2007
The previous Labour led Scottish Executive introduced free central heating for those over 60 as a further measure to reduce fuel poverty for pensioners in Scotland.
A number of constituents in Kilmarnock and Loudoun have been advised by the scheme administrators that they qualify for free central heating but that they will be placed on a waiting list with installation sometime in April 2008.
Local Labour MP Des Browne said;
"To qualify for free central heating the current heating system requires to be beyond repair or inefficient. I am therefore stunned that as we approach the coldest months of the year a number of my older constituents will be unable to keep warm in their homes. When the previous administration had a waiting list of 6 weeks the former MSP and myself made representation to the then Scottish Executive on behalf of constituents and were successful in obtaining extra funding to reduce the waiting list. In opposition the SNP promised continuation and expansion of the scheme yet they are sitting back whilst this current waiting list continues to rise and my constituents face a winter without heating. It is appalling that our older people are being treated in this way by the Nationalist administration. I would encourage any of my constituents who have been told of this delay and have not been in touch with me to do so and I will pursue the matter for them."
