Up to £225,000 will be paid out by Richmond Council to households in the borough who are struggling to pay their annual fuel bills, an increase of over £78,000 compared to last year.

A total of 1,326 households in Richmond upon Thames have been granted £170 each which will be deducted from their energy bills via their utility company. 

The Fuel Grant Scheme is an annual scheme run by Richmond Council to help residents who are at risk from living in fuel poverty.

Residents in receipt of benefits or on a low income were eligible for the grant, even if they already received financial support from somewhere else. 

Cllr Robin Brown, Finance and Resources Lead Member, said: "We received an additional 465 applications for our 2023/24 Fuel Grant Scheme.

"This increased demand demonstrates there is a high level of need across the borough as a direct result of the cost of living crisis.

"I would like to thank Council officers for their work to process these applications to ensure that residents receive their grant as quickly as possible."

Richmond Council has joined the calls from the Local Government Association and London Councils for the Government to extend the Household Support Fund which comes to an end next month. 

Cllr Brown added: "Our most vulnerable residents are still struggling with high costs so we are calling on the Government to continue the Household Support Fund so we can continue to deliver support where it is needed most. 

"We hope that the Chancellor will extend the Household Support Fund but if he does not, Richmond Council will pick up the bill this year to ensure we can continue supporting our residents, including funding free school meals for the borough's children."

Support with the cost of living is available in Richmond upon Thames.

Residents can visit the Richmond Cost of Living Hub for the latest information on what is available nationally and locally as well as details of the borough's network of Community Spaces and free support calculator.

Residents can also sign up to receive cost of living support updates straight to their inbox.