On Friday I will be holding my annual Warm Front event at Samaj Hall (26b Tooting High Street, Tooting, London, SW17 0RG – behind Natwest, near Tooting Broadway Tube Station) from 12.30pm to 3pm.

The event will be promoting the Warm Front Scheme in 2009 – and my co-hosts will be Eaga Partnership (a government appointed agency which tackles fuel poverty and encourages affordable warmth). We will be working together to ensure that every local constituent gets the fuel benefits that they are entitled to.

So far over £630,000 has been invested in Tooting's homes as part of the scheme, and hundreds of local older residents have felt the benefit through warmer homes, and cheaper heating bills.

This event is aimed to raise awareness around healthy living via warmer homes, security and help with the home. I have arranged for a number of relevant local community groups to be present too. It will cover health issues, home and street safety issues and fuel efficiency techniques. Refreshments will be provided and there will be opportunity to walk around the numerous stalls to check that you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to and getting the most out of the services that are available to you.

Cold, damp homes which people cannot afford to keep warm adversely affect medical conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, bronchitis and asthma. Elderly people and young families are particularly vulnerable, and hospital admissions rise significantly in periods of cold weather.

Warm Front is a government funded scheme which provides grants of up to £2,700 for improved heating and insulation, which keeps people warm in their homes and helps to prevent cold related illnesses. The grants are available for people who either own their home or rent it privately and are in receipt of certain income or disability related benefits.  Thousands of local residents have already benefited from this scheme over the last three years. 

If you could RSVP - by calling my office on 020 7219 5820, emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or writing to me at the House of Commons – I would much appreciate it.

I do hope that you will be able to join me on Friday 30th January and I look forward to seeing you.