A COUNCILLOR has called on Dorset Council to lobby the Government for more funding to help insulate local homes.

Wimborne Minster and Colehill councillor Maria Roe says that better insulation is one the best ways to tackle energy prices and help protect vulnerable Dorset residents from health issues because of a lack of warmth in their homes.

In a question she claimed that the most badly affected areas locally are West Dorset where only 28 per cent of homes insulated and North Dorset where the figure is 23 per cent.

“UK homes leak the most heat in Europe primarily because of lack of insulation… People are having to make the choice between heating or eating. Health issues amongst the vulnerable and elderly will increase because of lack of heating this winter,” she said.

Cllr Roe told fellow councillors that Healthy Homes Dorset between March 2021 and June 2022 had helped 20 homes have cavity wall insulation installed and 107 homes have loft insulation fitted with 24homes having both.

“Enquiries to Healthy Homes Dorset from the public have rapidly increased but more money is urgently needed from government. This is an emergency. What is Dorset Council doing to lobby government so that the people of Dorset are supported to insulate their homes?”

Environment Cabinet member Cllr Ray Bryan said the council remained committed to influencing the Government over insulation and would continue to do so.

Healthy Homes Dorset is funded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council and Public Health Dorset and is delivered by Ridgewater Energy.

It offers free advice to all Dorset residents and in certain cases may be able to help with some home insulation costs.

Further information is available online from Healthy Homes Dorset  at https://www.healthyhomesdorset.org.uk/ or by calling freephone 0300 003 7023 or texting INSULATION followed by your name to 07984 440584.