Keeping warm

June 15th, 2009

Given we have been treated to some intermittent but welcome sunshine in the last few weeks, central heating probably wouldn’t seem like a priority at the moment.

If we could count on weather like this all year round, we wouldn’t need the radiators on.

But we know only too well that it won’t last and we will be glad of our heating come autumn and the onset of the cold weather.

For that reason, one of the most popular decisions made in the Scottish Parliament over the last 10 years was the introduction of the Warm Deal programme.

That entitled a free central heating system to anyone over 60 who needed it and thousands of people all over the Scotland benefited.

But it was controversially changed last May when a means-test was introduced and it only became eligible to those in receipt of pension credit.

It means someone who has a small work pension may be ruled out and forced to dip into their savings to fund a new central heating system.

The advice has become so complicated that I am not convinced the helpline advisers are sure who is and who isn’t eligible.

To complicate matters further, new guidance has been issued which has meant that some of those people who have had their claims turned down have been reassessed as eligible.

I have had dealings with a constituent understandably pleased that he is to receive a new central heating system – but a bit confused as to why he was initially turned down.

With this sort of uncertainty, I would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible to pick up that phone.

Even for those people who have been unsuccessful in their claims should consider re-applying. Better to be safe than sorry.

Meanwhile, I will continue to press Housing minister Alex Neil for improvements to this over-bureaucratic and confusing system.