A CONSORTIUM of district councils in Cumbria have received over £19million in funding to address fuel poverty, energy efficiency and carbon savings.

The consortium of councils had an application submitted on their behalf by Carlisle City Council for the Sustainable Warmth Competition.

The successful application was announced on December 8 2021.

Carlisle City Cllr Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, said: "This is great news for Carlisle and Cumbria. The funding will provide much needed support for housing to make it more energy efficient and provide low-carbon heating across Cumbria.

"It’ll support local residents and also provide a welcome boost to the local economy. Thanks to all partners for their support."

The funding aims to boost the local economy with particular focus on private sector homes, with energy efficiency measures including low carbon heating.

Carlisle City Council bid for £5,850,000 for a target of 600 homes with mains gas heating and £14,105,000 for 710 homes with non-gas heating across Cumbria.

It is hoped these measures will tackle fuel poverty by increasing low income households energy efficiency rating while reducing their energy bills. As well as help the UK reach its targets of Net Zero by 2030 through cost-effective carbon savings.

It will also support clean growth by ensuring that homes are efficient and well adapted to climate change. It is thought that it will also help against some of the damage caused by Covid 19 by supporting economic resilience and creating jobs.

Owner-occupied homes can receive anywhere between £10,000 to £25,000 per household depending on the current efficiency of their homes.

Privately rented properties are eligible for funding of up to £5,000 or up to two thirds of the cost of the measures. To be eligible a household must have an annual income of less than £30,000, with larger thresholds for households with three or more members.

Work will get underway in readiness for the scheme going live for applications in early 2022. It will be managed by Homelife Carlisle, a home improvement agency provided by Carlisle City Council.

The scheme includes free energy efficient measures like external wall insulation, ground source heat pumps, loft insulation, low carbon heating, solar panels, and single to double glazing.