Green MP, Lucas says fuel poverty is a “grossly neglected national scandal”.
A LOCAL SCHOOL opened its gates to Brighton residents on Friday, November 14 for a drop-in energy advice surgery.
The free and impartial expert advice sessions, provided by Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) and backed by Caroline Lucas MP, form part of the school’s Energy Month.
During November students and staff are looking at ways to save energy, building on the 10 per cent electricity reduction the school achieved in 2013-14. Solar panels now power computers in one of the new school buildings and earn the school extra money to plough back into education.
The event is one in a series of advice sessions taking place across Caroline’s Brighton Pavilion constituency this winter with BHESCo and National Energy Action, to make their expert advice on fuel savings and energy efficiency available to as many people as possible.
Caroline Lucas MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency Group and Parliamentary Champion of the Energy Bill Revolution campaign, said: “Fuel poverty is a grossly neglected national scandal and it’s shameful that in Brighton and Hove, more than 17,000 households are struggling to pay their fuel bills to stay warm, while the Big Six energy firms reap massive financial rewards. Effective energy efficiency measures should be the number one Government investment priority, and I continue to fight for that in Parliament. In Brighton Pavilion, I’m delighted to support the Energy Services Co-operative and National Energy Action in their fantastic work to help families cut fuel costs, save energy and stay warm and well – while debunking bills and clarifying available support.”
Kayla Ente, founding director of the award-winning Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative, added: “Thousands of people across Brighton and Hove struggle to pay their energy bills and keep warm in their own homes. But often, people don’t realise that there are many ways in which we can help. It’s been great to be invited to Varndean School, which has a fantastic ethos of care for its children and their parents, and does a lot to engage students and the community in issues around energy. We’re looking to improve the quality of life of local families by lowering their fuel costs, saving them precious funds which can be put to better and more enjoyable use elsewhere.”
Headteacher of Varndean School, William Deighan, said: “We are delighted to welcome BHESCo into school as part of this valuable initiative to help Varndean families save energy and money this winter.”
To find out more about the Energy Bill Revolution campaign, click here:
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