Northumberland County Council has been awarded almost £60,000 of Government funding to support its work in helping people to get a better deal on their energy bills, through a programme called 'cheaper energy together'.

This will allow the council to expand the work it is already doing in the area, which will see an auction for the first energy collective scheme at the end of January.

132 projects have been awarded a share of £46 million from the Government to help reduce fuel poverty, boost energy efficiency, and encourage collective switching and purchasing in regions across Great Britain.

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This funding will be used by local authorities and third sector organisations to help keep people's energy bills down and ensure homes are warm this winter, and in the future.

Organisations were invited to bid for money under three competitions by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Northumberland received a share of £5 million allocated to set up collective switching schemes.

Energy Secretary Edward Davey said: "We need to find new ways to help people with their energy bills, working with communities and councils across the country.

"The projects we are funding will help people save energy and save money: helping the most vulnerable to heat their homes, getting the Green Deal market up and running and encouraging people to switch energy suppliers to get their bills down.

"Funding will also be used to drive forward collective purchasing and switching initiatives at a local level, helping consumers to get a better deal on their energy bills."

The deadline to register has been extended until 28th January.

The auction for energy companies is planned for 29th January and households will receive their offers in early February.

(CD)