Salford charity distributing money to help people having to choose between ‘heating or eating’

A Salford charity will help distribute a new £2m fund in hope of stopping people making desperate ‘heating or eating’ choices this winter.

This investment will be provided to Salford charity Trussel Trust and other Manchester based charities.

The fund has come about as new figures reveal that more than half of UK adults with a household income of £29,500 or less now consider themselves as living in fuel poverty.

Launching on Fuel Poverty Day, the new fund is designed to allow charities that offer energy and money guidance to have quick access to addition funds.

The on going cost-of-living crisis means that 6.3 million people living in fuel poverty are having to choose between ‘heating and eating’.

Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “With the number of people living in fuel poverty sitting at 6.3 million this year, according to National Energy Action, we know this fund won’t provide the much-needed long-term solution for tackling this issue.

“But hopefully, by giving charities the option to make a quick financial impact, it will make the decision on whether to eat or heat their homes, a little easier for people this winter.”

Gillian Cooper, Director of Energy at Citizens Advice, one of the charity partners involved in the project, added: “Our work with the Cadent Foundation has already helped over one thousand people access crucial information about energy efficiency, benefits and ways to maximise their incomes.”

“This winter could see millions of people struggling with their bills. The ability to provide vouchers to people facing immediate hardship means we can help some get access to electrical goods and prevent others from having to make the impossible choice between heating, eating or keeping the lights on.”