Purbeck Citizens Advice Bureau has been given a £50,000 to help fight fuel poverty.

It is one of the charities to receive funding from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme

The scheme redistributes voluntary payments from UK energy companies.

Purbeck CAB, which aims to fight fuel poverty through its energy advice service, has received £53,123 to support the roll out of a new service that will allow residents to access a qualified energy affordability adviser to deliver energy advice, host appointments, and conduct home visits to provide practical advice and support. The initiative will also provide training to more than 150 energy advisers who will offer advice and support.

Katie Reville, Development Officer for the Redress scheme said: “We were thrilled to receive such a range of applications for phase three of the Energy Redress Scheme.

“The services that we are able to fund are going to have a real, positive impact on the lives of people in these communities.”

The fourth round of funding from the scheme will officially open for applications on Monday, April 1 with a further £300,000 in funding available. Applications must be from charities and those interested in applying to the scheme will need to register on energyredress.org.uk The closing date for applications is Friday, May 17.

The fund is administered by Energy Saving Trust, and aims to distribute available funds to support energy consumers in vulnerable situations and the development of products or services, which would provide a benefit for certain groups of energy consumers.