Paul Burstow helps local residents go green and save cash as energy awareness days proves a big hit

2.18.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Jun 2009

Residents flocked to the Civic Centre in Sutton recently for an energy awareness day held by the MP for Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park, Paul Burstow.

The event proved such a success - with over fifty people visiting - that the local MP is already thinking about holding similar events in the future.

Joining forces with eaga, provider of the fuel poverty Warm Front Scheme, Mr Burstow hosted the energy awareness event to make sure local residents could go green, save cash on their energy bills and didn't miss out on important money that could maximise their household income.

Speaking about the success of the event Mr Burstow said:

"In the current economic climate people are looking for ways to save money and maximise the income coming into their homes. And if they can do all that in an environmentally friendly way then that's a bonus.

"What this event did was to have experts on hand to give people some simple tips on how they could do all that. From advice on how to access grants like the Warm Front Scheme through to using energy efficient light bulbs and saving money on water usage, a raft of advice was on hand that I'm sure will save households valuable money in these tough times and still protect the environment."

As part of the event residents were also able to access advice on entitlements including; Family Tax Credits, Pension Credit, Council Tax Relief and receive confidential advice from trained benefit entitlement advisors.

Mr Burstow added: "I imagined this event would be popular but was delighted with the number of people who came along for help and advice.

"I am keen to make sure that people in Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park get all the help they are entitled to during these difficult times and I will be continue to work with eaga to see how we can make the lives of local residents more energy efficient, comfortable and where possible cheaper."

To date more than 1000 people and over £1million has been invested by Warm Front in the Sutton and Cheam area helping residents make their homes warmer, more energy efficient and more cost effective to run. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Scheme should call the Warm Front free phone number on 0800 316 6005 or log onto www.warmfront.co.uk

Ends

For further information contact:

Jane Gatiss

Head of Marketing

eaga

Tel: (0191) 245 8426

Email: jane.gatiss@eaga.com

Note to editors

1.eaga plc is a green support services and outsourcing company. It is also the UK's largest residential energy efficiency provider.

2. eaga was established in Newcastle in 1990 and operates across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, India and Canada. It employs over 4,000 people.

3. eaga works in partnership with central and local Government, all six major energy suppliers, local authorities, social housing providers and is increasing its share of the able-to-pay private market.

4. Since its inception, eaga has made a positive difference to over 5 million disadvantaged households across the UK, by installing energy efficiency insulation and central heating.

5. eaga holds the contract to deliver the £1.5 billion Warm Front programme in England, the cornerstone of the government's target to eliminate fuel poverty.

6. eaga is committed to co-ownership and is one of only a handful of UK organisations where every employee with over a year's service is entitled to a share in the success of the business.

7. Since 2000, eaga has invested over £3 million in the independent eaga Partnership Charitable Trust which funds research into solutions to fuel poverty.