More funding set to be released to help tackle cost of living and energy costs

Derbyshire County Council has approved an additional £200,000 of funding to help support Derbyshire households with food and energy costs.

This includes £100,000 to Marches Energy Advice to help foodbank clients with the cost of energy and £100,000 for Foundation Derbyshire to carry on supporting local food banks.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities’, Councillor Carol Hart said: “The cost of living continues to be a concern for many households across Derbyshire and some of the biggest costs are energy and food.

“These additional funding allocations will help organisations to continue to support the most vulnerable people in our county.”

Marches Energy Advice currently run the Warmer Derby and Derbyshire energy advice and support service which includes a Derbyshire-wide dedicated fuel poverty helpline.

The funding will enable MEA to carry on their work with food banks - ensuring that people who use them are supported with heating costs when in crisis.

The additional funding could help an extra 650 households across Derbyshire struggling with energy costs.

Support includes emergency credit meter funding, pre-payment meter funding, providing oil-filled radiators, heated throws and low-cost cooking devices alongside face to face advice and support through Warmer Derby and Derbyshire

The council is also providing £100,000 to Foundation Derbyshire to support the continuing work of 44 food banks across Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council has previously provided grants, administered by Foundation Derbyshire, totalling £450,000 since March 2020. These grants have helped to support 44 food banks - including 34 in the Feeding Derbyshire Network.

For more advice on cost of living support visit www.derbyshire.org.uk/costofliving

To find out more about food banks and other food projects visit www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/feeding-derbyshire