Launch of new scheme brings reduced fuel bills to residents

19.03.15

Around 12,000 residents across the region are set to save money on their fuel bills, as a new campaign to make the region’s homes more energy efficient gets underway in 9 Local Authority districts.

As part of the Better Homes Yorkshire scheme, residents will be able to take advantage of heavily discounted improvement work to their homes, such as insulation and boiler replacements.

Better Homes is open to residents who own or privately rent their home, it is managed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and utilises funding from the Government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) schemes.

Better Homes Yorkshire will see Keepmoat and Willmott Dixon Energy Services carry out energy improvement work to homes over the next eight years, in partnership with nine local authorities - Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Barnsley, York, Craven, Harrogate and Selby, and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

In the first three years alone, the programme aims to deliver energy efficiency measures to over 12,000 homes, create jobs and apprenticeships for local people. As a result, the programme will bring at least £20m of investment into the Leeds City Region and increase GVA growth.

At the launch of the scheme, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, Cllr David Green said:

“This new programme is another great example of the public and private sector working together to deliver further growth for the Leeds City Region and by making it easier for residents to implement these measures in their homes, reflects the LEP, West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s and local authorities shared determination to make a real positive difference for local people.

“Reducing fuel poverty and improving health and wellbeing is vital and I am delighted that homes in Bradford, along with other areas in the City Region, will benefit from this scheme.”

Mark Pheasey, Framework Director Better Homes Yorkshire said: “We are delighted to be launching the Better Homes Yorkshire programme. The scheme will help residents heat their home for less and create greener, healthier communities across the region. This 8 year programme will also bring job, apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people.”

For more information, and to register for the scheme, visit www.betterhomesyorkshire.co.uk