A Swindon organisation has received more than £275,000 to help support people in fuel poverty.

The British Gas Energy Trust has given Citizens Advice Swindon the grant to help fund the organisation’s work assisting people with free and confidential advice about debt and energy-related issues.

The funding was awarded following a nationwide mapping exercise which identified organisations that are best placed to help people avoid the burden of energy debt.

CEO Jessica Taplin said: “I am thrilled that the trust can continue this critical support across Britain.

“With this funding commitment of £13m to 38 organisations over the next two years, an estimated 35,000 people across Britain will have access to these key frontline services in the heart of their community. “Our funded money and energy advice services will provide advice and support that address root causes of fuel poverty such as poor money management and home energy inefficiency’. British Gas Energy Trust Board chair Helen Charlton said: “Our trust funded projects are a necessity in communities up and down the country.

“I have witnessed first-hand the impact of these services, and I know they can have lifechanging effects they can have on people affected by fuel poverty.

“This funding will enable these advice services to deliver a significant uplift in activity, with an increased focus on the holistic support of increasingly complex cases and energy advice.”