Choosing to feed yourself or keep warm – it’s not one the people of Hounslow should have to make.
Choosing to feed yourself or keep warm – it’s not one the people of Hounslow should have to make, especially when wealthier neighbours in Richmond are receiving better support.
With one of the highest ratings for fuel poverty in South West London, you might expect Hounslow Council to be willing to extend community resources, to ease the pressure on its residents.
For example, there has been a significant uptake recently in food banks, with numbers expected to increase nationally to 200,000 people in the next year.
The Trussel Trust, which provides food banks nationally, blame rising gas bills, in part, for these soaring numbers.
Richmond, an area with far less fuel poverty and a generally more affluent district, already has a food bank to help local residents.
Yet, while charities claim rising energy costs are causing increased use of food banks, there is a split in opinion on how to tackle the problem in Hounslow.
Council spokesman Phil Sutcliffe says food banks were discussed recently and it was decided there wasn’t the need for one.
Labour councillor Ruth Cadbury is not convinced, however. She says in her blog: “While we don’t have a food bank yet in Hounslow, I know it is only a matter of time, and I know that the Gurdwaras and other places of worship are feeding more people every day.”
The council has introduced a programme of free loft and cavity insulation, though it has not had the desired response.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “We have had inquiries, but we’d like more. We are in a lucky position as it isn’t our money but that of the energy companies we are trying to spend. We do want people to take it up.”
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