Central Heating: more people waiting longerThe average waiting time for pensioners to get central heating systems has more than doubled over the last nine months, with a huge increase in numbers waiting more than three months In March 2007 in the FK postcode area, there were 123 households waiting for central heating installation, with just 18 (15%) who had waited longer than 3 months since applying. Now there are 537 waiting, and 272 (51%) have been waiting for more than three months to get their free central heating installed. In the EH postcode area, the figures have risen from 350 households waiting, with 46 (13%) waiting over 3 months, to 1252 waiting, with 648 (52%) waiting over three months Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said: " Last winter we reduced the waiting time, but now it is rocketing. The failure to maintain the programme is unacceptable. The Scottish Government are letting down pensioners with their mishandling of the free central heating scheme. “ The SNP told pensioners in Scotland that the scheme would improve. The reality is that under their Government, things are becoming worse. Thousands will spend February freezing because of their failure. " At the end of December just over 8000 installations had been completed - well behind schedule for the promised 15,000 by the end of March. Pensioners want action not broken promises." Ends
(February 2008) |
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