A new partnership has been launched to help keep older and vulnerable people warm this winter.

The Community Action Partnership between charity National Energy Action, British Gas and Enfield Borough Council, will help promote the health benefits of warm homes as well as give advice to GPs and other health professionals on how to refer patients for help with heating their homes.

Launched at the Beat the Winter Cold, Beat the Winter Flu event at The Artzone, in Edmonton, on October 1, the partnership is part of a £1.2million community programme across the UK.

Maria Wardrobe, director of external affairs at National Energy Action, said: “NEA is delighted to be working with British Gas and Enfield Council to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in our communities. Fuel poverty is a serious issue in Enfield affecting more than 10,000 households in the area."

Enfield Council’s cabinet member for economic development, Councillor Alan Sitkin, said: “Fuel poverty has no place in the 21st century and Enfield Council is delivering a wide range of projects under its Enfield 2020 programme to keep people warm and well during the winter months.”

Christine Tate of British Gas said: “The significant investment in this partnership will mean that help and support is available for people in Enfield. We know that making sure homes are warm and dry can have a positive effect on health and can make a real difference to people’s lives.”