Heating oil householders aged 75 and over have been urged to sign up to the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) Cold Weather Priority scheme this winter.
Originally launched in 2017, the Cold Weather Priority scheme is an industry-led bid to help prevent excess winter deaths. It has the full support of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Ken Cronin, UKIFDA chief executive, said: “This scheme is effective and works because it enables our UKIFDA Member suppliers to identify the most vulnerable individuals so they can then prioritise heating oil deliveries to them when needed.
“Now in its fifth year, the Cold Weather Priority scheme has enabled elderly consumers, who heat their homes using heating oil, to sign up for prioritised deliveries when there are supply shortages or extreme weather.
“We want more consumers who are aged 75 and over to sign up to the scheme to ensure they stay warm throughout winter.”
When there are excess winter deaths, UKIFDA stated, the victims are often in their mid-70s or older. The Cold Weather Priority scheme has been designed to tackle excess winter deaths and has proven vital during the past few years, including when the Beast from the East struck in February 2018 and throughout the Covid pandemic in winter 2020.
Ken added: “The scheme is free and consumers only need to speak to their local UKIFDA fuel distributor about joining and they will help them. By signing up now, you will become part of the scheme before winter hits – meaning your fuel deliveries will be prioritised whenever needed this winter.”
To find out more about UKIFDA’s Cold Weather Priority scheme, visit https://ukifda.org/cold-weather-priority-initiative/