Breaking News from energyhelpline.com: the gas & electricity switching service that compares all energy suppliers: Cheap energy scheme given award - 06/05/2009

A cheap energy initiative designed to help people in fuel poverty in Norwich has won national recognition for its achievements.

Norwich Citizens Advice Bureau and Norwich City Council's Affordable Warmth Advice Scheme has been named best project in the Eastern region by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), the Norwich Evening News reports.

The scheme is designed to cut the number of people living in fuel poverty in the region by sending trained advisors to visit homes and show people how they can cut their energy bills and access cheap energy, potentially by switching energy supplier.

"It is essential we do what we can to ensure people can afford to properly heat their homes and I congratulate the Norwich Warm Homes Team for continuing to develop innovative ways to meet people's needs," said Brenda Arthur, the city council's executive member for housing and adult services.

Maria Wardrobe, director of communications at the NEA, said the organisation's figures suggested 16 per cent of people in Norwich are currently living in fuel poverty, which she described as a "scandalous" situation.

Energy providers have been criticised for failing to slash their bills following falls in the wholesale cost of energy in recent months, with MPs urging them to help people suffering from fuel poverty.

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