Round six of the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme saw more than £5 million shared between 28 charities across the UK, with grants ranging from £36,000 to £439,000.

Maryhill Housing has received £148,192.00 with Paisley Housing Association being granted £49,975.06 to provide an energy advice project starting in September which will give advice to tenants on various aspects of energy saving.

A spokesperson for Paisley Housing Association told Scottish Housing News: “Paisley Housing Association is passionate about helping our tenants deal with the effects of fuel poverty. Our project will provide advice, assistance and energy saving measures to some of our most vulnerable tenants to help lift them out of fuel poverty and to get the most from their money.”

Other Scottish charities to benefit include Argyll, Lomond and the Isles Energy Agency, Motherwell and Wishaw Citizens Advice Bureau, Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau and St Andrews Environmental Network Ltd.

Since the Energy Redress Scheme launched in 2018, Energy Saving Trust has awarded over £12.3 million in grant funding to more than 70 charities across England, Scotland and Wales. These grants have enabled charities to deliver projects that help energy consumers in vulnerable situations to save energy and money in their homes and to live warmer, more comfortable lives.

The Energy Redress Scheme is continuing to allocate funding to projects to ensure vulnerable households have access to appropriate support during this unprecedented and difficult time. Those planning to apply to the Energy Redress Scheme in Round 7 should consider how their project can have the maximum positive impact for people who are especially at risk in the current situation. Charities will also need to adjust and adapt their working practices to comply with government guidance.

Graham Ayling, energy redress senior project manager, said development officers will continue to offer support and advice to charities applying to the scheme.

He added: “The grants we have announced today will support frontline charities at a crucial time. The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting people in vulnerable situations especially hard and putting many more people in a position where they struggle to pay their fuel bills. The charities that the Energy Redress Scheme supports are working hard to adapt to social distancing and continue providing support to those who need it most.”