PROBLEMS with a Government scheme which helps vulnerable people cut their fuel bills are being sorted, according to the minister in charge.

Stoke-on-Trent's three MPs met environment minister Phil Woolas yesterday to thrash out difficulties with Warm Front, a home improvements fund.

He discussed how changes can be made to help people in the Potteries with their fuel bills and ways to address allegations that the public is facing excess labour charges and poor standards of service.

Under Warm Front, vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, are able to apply for up to £2,700 for new central heating, insulation and other energy conservation measures. They pay the extra money if the work costs more.

But Mr Woolas said this may be about to change.

He said: "This has been an extremely important and serious visit, which will help with national policy decision making.

"Stoke-on-Trent has one of the highest records of people on the fuel poverty scheme. There will be changes so more people can take advantage of the scheme.

"Jobs will be generated as more companies will be able to tender. This will help local industry.

"We are also looking at the criteria for householders to qualify. The MPs have asked for the £2,700 cap to be increased and we are minded to do that.

"The national audit office report into the complaints will be published shortly.

"In the Prime Minster's package three weeks ago, he announced there will be hundreds of schemes across the country in the least well-off areas. We need a particular package for Stoke on Trent.

"There are particular problems in this area, because of the amount of older homes.

"It is worrying there have been so many complaints but we are determined to take these seriously. A lot of the public have been helped and this Government is determined to help the least well off people.

"We want to see the scheme working perfectly."

The Warm Front Scheme has given funding to almost 25,000 vulnerable households in Stoke-on-Trent for works worth around £20 million.

Under the scheme, 17,000 Stoke-on-Trent householders have benefited from new heating systems and a further 17,000 have received insulation.

It is part of the Government's pledge to eradicate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010.

City south MP Robert Flello, who has previously received a flood of complaints about the scheme which he labelled a 'rip-off', said: "The amount of money being charged to replace a boiler is concerning.

"The charges for relatively simple jobs are not right. I am pressing for a review of the cap level and the top-up contribution which householders currently have to pay."

Joan Walley, who represents Stoke-on-Trent North, said: "We have had a very constructive meeting with the minister. Having been in discussions throughout the year, I am delighted Phil Woolas accepted our invitation to talk about the concerns in more detail.

"We want acknowledgement that many people find it impossible to pay an excess charge if their energy efficiency measures breach the maximum payment. There needs to be a solution to this.

"There needs to be a fresh look at how regional contractors are picked so there is greater use of local firms in Stoke-on-Trent, creating more local jobs as well as help to keep people warm."

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Mark Fisher was unavailable to comment.