Fatal house fires could increase warn firefighters as the government is set to implement ‘unacceptable’ cuts to provisions that help low income families replace unsafe electrical goods.
Funding for local welfare provision is at risk as the government considers cutting back on the scheme that provides practical assistance to poorer families with one-off emergency expenses.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigade Union’s general secretary, said: “The Fire Brigades Union is joining other trade unionists and campaigners protesting against more government attacks on vulnerable people with unacceptable welfare cuts.”
Local welfare provision helps families replace essential appliances such as cookers, fridges and microwaves if they do not have sufficient resources and without the new items this would ‘cause serious risk to their own or their family’s health or safety’.
In Merton this fund is only available to residents who meet strict criteria, and even then help may not be provided.
People who receive income support, pension credit, disability living allowance or working tax credit are all entitled to the scheme if they also require ‘essential assistance’ and have no savings or other means of support.
The Fire Brigade Union supports continuing the scheme to help reduce home-fire deaths, two-thirds of which are caused by faulty electrical and gas appliances.
“Cutting funds for benefit claimants to replace dangerous equipment puts lives at risk.”
No cash is given out in the scheme, vouchers are provided to families to buy refurbished second-hand electrical goods from approved outlets.
In Merton electrical goods are collected from previous owners, restored and distributed by volunteers from the Vine Project, who aim to support low-income families and encourage community recycling.
Mr Wrack said: “Cutting local welfare provision funds for benefit claimants to replace dangerous equipment puts lives at risk.
“Funding to help the most vulnerable is essential for reducing the risks of fire. Many people in need currently do not get the money they need.
“We see the effects of shoddy electrical goods in fires every day. It is absolutely essential that local welfare provision is available so vulnerable people can replace defective and hazardous equipment with safer alternatives.”
Firefighters carry out prevention work with vulnerable people in the community, advising on fire safety measures, Mr Wrack said the government must think again and protect the local welfare provision by ring-fencing the funding.
“It is absolutely essential that local welfare provision is available so vulnerable people can replace defective and hazardous equipment with safer alternatives,” he said.
“Central government must guarantee funding streams in the years ahead – otherwise fire risks will increase and people could die.”
