Council offers grants to ease rising fuel bills

Energy saving grants have been offered to people to help cope with rising energy bills.

West Northamptonshire Council said it had been given £2.6m over three years from the government's Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme.

The money could be spent on insulation, draught proofing and low carbon heating systems for anyone who was on or off the gas grid.

The support has come after the price of heating oil spiked in the aftermath of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The grants were to support low-income households, people who receive certain means-tested benefits or residents living in designated priority postcode areas, the authority said.

The money was available to homeowners, tenants in privately rented homes and homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated D to G.

Nigel Stansfield, a Reform UK councillor and the authority's cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, said: "With many households continuing to feel the impact of rising energy costs, this grant offers practical support to help residents keep their homes warmer and more affordable to heat.

"This scheme will make a real difference for those who need it most, helping to make their homes more energy efficient and in turn reducing their costs."

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