January 9th 2012
Saving energy: Saving money
West Tynedale Citizens’ Advice Bureau has helped to secure over £270,000 in benefits and energy saving measures to tackle fuel poverty in the area. Over the past two years a part-time case worker has been employed on a fuel efficiency project with funding from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust,
To date the project has enabled residents to access £273,000 in additional benefits or energy saving measures, which has given them a better standard of living. In effect this means that for every £1 invested in the fuel efficiency project, £14 benefit has accrued to beneficiaries of the project.
The case worker has worked with clients to improve and/or reduce the energy consumption in their homes, which has included being helped to secure the best energy deals on the Internet; negotiate with energy suppliers to get on to better tariffs; write off long-standing energy debts; as well as being advised on energy saving measures.
Indeed, one particular client increased their income by £7,000 p.a. through accessing benefits that they were entitled to.
Funding for the project expires at the end of February and it is hoped that many more people will be helped in similar ways before that time.
