Multi-million pound funding partnership kicks off

Fuel Bank Foundation will receive circa £3 million over three years to expand its operations across GB and to provide a range of new services to support families and individuals struggling to pay for gas and/or electricity.

The money is being provided from the Warm Home Fund, a £150m fuel poverty fund set up by National Grid and administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions across England, Scotland and Wales.

The partnership with Fuel Bank Foundation is the first time AWS has funded a project that provides immediate financial crisis support for prepayment customers at risk of self-disconnection.

Fuel Bank Foundation provides emergency financial support via a £49* voucher to people unable to top up their prepayment gas or electricity meter. On average, £49 will keep the lights and heating on in a home for up to two weeks.

The voucher is available for customers of all GB energy suppliers and doesn’t need to be repaid.

Matthew Cole, Fuel Bank Foundation chair of trustees, said: “Working in partnership with other like-minded organisations, charities, advice agencies and local councils, our aim is to better identify and support those in fuel poverty.

Jeremy Nesbitt, managing director of Affordable Warmth Solutions, said: “Our vision of an end-to-end service to households is being realised. Through this Warm Homes Fund investment to the Fuel Bank Foundation, we can help many more households with immediate financial support to ensure both heat and light is maintained through the most challenging times.”