news story

21 April 2008

Good Response to Yate Information Event

Steve Webb MP with benefits and energy efficiency advisers at the Yate open day

Large numbers of residents from Yate and the surrounding area came to Yate shopping centre last week for a benefits information day organised by local MP Steve Webb in partnership with home insulation group Eaga.

The event was put on to give local people chance to find out whether they were getting all the help to which they were entitled with everything from home insulation and fuel bills to pension credits and housing repairs.

Stalls were staffed by South Gloucestershire Council's welfare rights department, the Pension Service, South Gloucestershire 'care and repair', Eaga and also by the local fire service. Steve Webb also met and advised a number of local residents during the course of the day, and many took away leaflets and application forms for grants and benefits.

Commenting after the event, Steve Webb said:

"I was delighted by the response to this information event and grateful to all of the organisations who took part. With soaring fuel bills and other costs of living I am very keen to make sure that people get all the help to which they are entitled, not least with things like home insulation which is both good for their pocket and good for the planet.

"I always find that people are surprised at the help that is available, and days like this are important in making sure that schemes that are designed to make life a bit easier are properly taken up".