HOMES across South Gloucestershire will benefit from new government funding which aims to tackle fuel poverty and keep bills low.

The £25 million Central Heating Fund competition opened in March to local authorities across England asking for their proposals on how their plans would support local people living in homes that are not on the gas grid.

Hardworking bill payers living in fuel poor households will have central heating installed for the first time and once installed it could help to save £1,000 a year as well as keep their homes warm.

South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) successfully led a consortium bid to secure £3.2 million of government funding to target the least energy efficient homes first, and over 7,000 households across England are to set benefit overall.

The properties are currently heated by 'on peak' electric systems and the council proposes to install gas central heating via modern energy efficient condensing combination boilers.

Lord Bourne, parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said: “These innovative projects will ensure they help local people in the community who need it the most.

“This is the first time we have targeted central heating as part of our aim to tackle fuel poverty.

"Projects like SGC show that it is vital that the government and local authorities draw on our shared knowledge to make a real difference in the lives of people living in fuel poverty.”

The department for energy and climate change received over 80 proposals from over 100 local authorities, which were assessed on how they met the funding criteria which included value for money and how the plans would offer ongoing support.

Cllr Heather Goddard, chair of communities committee, said the council is delighted that its bid for more than £3.2 million has been successful.

“This will help us and the other local authorities who are involved in the project to install much-needed gas central heating systems in around 1,000 homes across South Gloucestershire, Stroud, the Forest of Dean, the Cotswolds and Gloucester,” she said.

“The most vulnerable residents will be targeted first to ensure they are provided with heating systems which are fuel efficient; not only will they keep their properties warm during the colder months but their energy bills will also be lower.”