Boost for poor families

A CHANGE of heart by the new Labour administration will see a scheme that helps lift poor families out of poverty continue for another 12 months.

The Liberal Democrats brought in the Affordable Warmth initiative to help around 12,000 low-income families who suffer with sub-standard insulation.

Fuel poverty leads to a range of problems including poor health, excess winter deaths and social isolation.

In March, Labour proposed that the scheme be axed, to the dismay of the Oldham Lib-Dem leader Howard Sykes (pictured), who is pleased by the U-turn but disappointed that only a year of funding has been found.

Mark Reynolds, of Oldham Council’s housing strategy, said the council had considered the matter again recently and decided that revoking the scheme would not be an appropriate course of action.

But Councillor David Hibbert said: “The Labour group is fully supportive of the scheme and arrangements have been made to make sure the scheme is properly funded for the foreseeable future.”