'We'll take our fight over fuel bills to PM'
Campaigners are preparing to take their battle against huge increases in their heating bills to the Prime Minister.
Council tenants are furious after being told their bills will increase by 76 per cent from November 10.
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Residents said it was unfair and environmentally unfriendly that their homes do not have meters which would allow them to control use.
They pay a flat weekly rate for heating – which means there is no way of cutting back and saving money.
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The increases will hit about 3,000 tenants in St Matthew's, St Mark's, St Peter's and St Andrew's estates, and a small area of New Parks, Leicester, who receive a district heating service for their homes.
However, council bosses said it would cost millions to fit meters to people's homes.
Jean Williams, chairman of St Matthew's Tenants' Association, said: "It's come as a big shock to people. I'm going to go to the Prime Minister with this. He is saying the Government wants to help poor people with their heating bills, but the council is not doing that.
"They were supposed to put meters into the properties but they threw it out. What are the tenants supposed to do? They're going to pay their heating bills and stop buying food. To me that's appalling."
Rene Ayres, 80, has lived in Kashmir Road, St Matthew's, for more than 40 years. Her bills are going up from £12.33 a week to £21.70.
She said: "How do they expect us to pay that out of our pension?
"I live on my own and I'm paying the same as a flat with five or six people living in it."
Glen Smith, 44, a single parent, from St Matthew's, said: "We're paying way above what anyone is using, and hot water is being pumped pointlessly around the estates."
A city council spokesman said: "If people are facing hardship because of their fuel bills, we urge them to contact housing's income management team as soon as possible.
"We will be writing direct to all 3,000 tenants to tell them how to do this."
Advisers can look at people's income and outgoings, help them to make sure they are claiming all of the benefits they are entitled to, and give general money advice or point them to specialist services. The number to call is 0116 252 7007.
Comments
by D Smith, Leicester
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:28PM
“What a cotradictory lot you are. The tenants just want the same energy rights as everyone else. it strikes me that most of the views on the issue are a mixture of borderline racism and general stupidity.”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, October 30 2008, 9:46AM
“I agree with B E Real, From all the advertising i have seen on this website regarding this issue I have not seen evidence of any of the tennants being that elderly or disabled etc... 1 gentleman stated in previous articles that he had his heating on constantly for 9 months of the year because, and i quote 'this country is too cold' and him and his wife and children!! are what mine and your taxes pay for!. So why should these types of people claim benefits and not work, why should they have reduced energy bills! I am a strong believer in paying for our elderly and disabled etc. but not to the ones who are just more comfortable sitting on benefits not working. after all its only people like me who pay taxes every month that suffer. I hope that there protests are refused and some of them realise that to pay bills they may have to find actual jobs, oh think of the shame of it!.”
by B E Real, Planet Leicester
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 3:07PM
“How awful it must be to live in warmed, heated, subsidised accommodation, and be expected to pay the going rate for their energy. How many of these tentants work? How many are using benefits to pay the majority of their bills?
If you don't like it, get a job, private rent or buy and then pay full rates for your bills...”
by alan, Leics
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 2:49PM
“Isnt this the same council boasting a couple of weeks ago that it was saving money by using used coooking oil in its district heating boilers, or is this a forgatten fact.”
by Kate, Coalville
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 2:31PM
“Harry - the whole country isn't on this kind of community heating system are they? I'm just saying, the residents don't like it that they haven't got a choice, but they moved into those properties knowing that scheme was in place.”
by Harry, Leicester
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:59PM
“Kate from Coalville seems to be ignoring the fact that these residents do not have the opportunity to make cuts in their heating bills and therefore save money. With regards to 'why move in in the first place' - do i take it that you are not just refering to the estate, but the country also?”
by Barry mith, Mowmacre Hill
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:15PM
“This is an awful state of affairs and even if there has not been an increase in previous years this is not relevant.
Many people are suffering fuel extra costs but whether I am being economical I have never paid that much a week in all the time i have been paying bills.
I am also unsure of what the housing income dept are going to do other than suggest economies to pay the extra of recommend thicker woollies.
If the money paid for all weather payments is not enough then it is upto the council to make some adequate heating adjustments.”
by Paul, Leicester
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:15PM
“I feel sorry for the oldies, they should all have help paying their bills.
As for the others, tough, get on with it, us council tax payers have been paying the shortfall in your cheap bills.”
by Kate, Coalville
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:52AM
“It isn't clear from this article, but I wonder how many people moved into their houses knowing this scheme was in operation? If you didn't like it, why move in in the first place? And if it was imposed when you were already living there, then why not oppose it back then? I do understand that this is a big increase but am I right in thinking these residents haven't had a rise in fuel costs for quite a few years? Did they think it would stay the same price forever? We're all struggling. I do feel for pensioners, but they get a winter heating allowance every year, I think the over 80's get £400? This is more than enough to cover the bills. Unless of course they aren't spending it on heating?”
by Rich, leicester
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:04AM
“I see no reason why the residents should subsidise people besides the very needy in this way.
My fuel bills are £80 a month up from £40 last year. Am i demanding charity to pay for it? Why should my council tax go up still more to subsidise these people. it shouldnt. I get absolutely nothing for my council tax payments, so why on earth should i pay more.”