Families in Northumberland will benefit from a £20 million government fund to help them save money on their energy bills. Households across the country will benefit from specialist in-person advice on how to make their home more energy efficient and reduce their bills.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority area has been allocated £911,716 from the fund. This will be used to create a One stop shop coordinated across 7 local authorities through engagement officers. The money will train healthcare providers and community leaders on how to reduce the bills of the residents they serve, as well as facilities to identify the homes most in need.
Backed by £20 million of government funding, 36 pilot services will trial new ways to get expert advice out to those that need it most, with more than 125,000 households to benefit across England.
This will be particularly targeted at those in hard-to-treat homes, such as listed buildings, as well as those who are hard to reach, such as the elderly and people who do not have internet access.
This is expected to help more than 19,000 households install retrofit measures, ranging from loft and cavity wall insulation to draught proofing, better heating controls, and new heat pumps.
It forms the latest in a series of support to help households keep their bills down, as part of the government’s efforts to cut inflation.
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said:
‘One of the key priorities of this council is to tackle inequalities across the county and this fund will help to reduce the bills of families. Advice will be targeted through healthcare professionals and community leaders which will help ensure it is received by those most in need.
‘As a council we are working to bring our carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. Households in Northumberland will be able to do their environmental impact by making their homes more efficient.’
Amanda Solloway, Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability, said:
‘We want everyone to be able to get expert advice on how to make their homes more energy efficient, no matter where they live, so they can save money.
‘These innovative projects will bring that expertise right to people’s doorsteps, quite literally in some cases, ensuring people are given the best advice on how to save money on their bills and heat their homes for less without needing to search for it.
‘This is alongside our investment of billions of pounds to improve energy efficiency across the country – reducing bills at the same time as making sure Britain’s homes are fit for the future.’
Schools and community hubs will also be put to use in projects across the country to help pass on energy advice and support for households.
Energy efficiency remains the best approach to reducing fuel poverty in the long-term, contributing to warmer homes and reduced energy bills, while helping to cut carbon emissions.
The new initiative launched today will help households to access these benefits – particularly the elderly and those without internet access, or in listed buildings and rural areas.
