HYNDBURN MP Graham Jones has spoken of his hope that a review into a government scheme aimed at helping the poorest heat their homes will help more people.

The Warm Home Discount was introduced in 2011, forcing the big six energy companies to contribute £135 towards heating bills for low income, vulnerable households. But Mr Jones, said many working families are excluded, despite struggling to warm their homes. He said as many as 4,340 children could be living in a household that can’t afford to turn the heating on.

He said: “These families are then expected to choose between eating food and warming the house during the winter periods, while others have considered taking out a loan in order to avoid that difficult decision, which will later result in even less money in the household.

“This should not continue and the Warm Home Discount, which is to be reviewed from 2015-2016, needs to be changed.”