Funding will become available for people who are impacted by fuel poverty in Stoke-on-Trent. 

The city council will receive up to £7 million to help pay for energy efficiency improvements for homeowners and private tenants who are struggling to heat their homes. 

The funding will come from the Government's Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme and will go towards wall and loft insultation, solar paneling and heating systems. 

Cllr Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Everybody deserves the right to live in a safe and warm home and we are already making significant improvements to council-owned homes to ensure this is the case for all our residents. 

"The Government's Warm Homes funding will enable us to build on these efforts by providing us with an opportunity to support residents living in private housing in the city, particularly those who are impacted by fuel poverty."

It is hoped the improvements, which are likely to start from June 2025, will ultimately make homes warmer and reduce energy bills. 

The council said 24.7% of households in Stoke-on-Trent are in fuel poverty – this compares to the national average of 13.1% and the West Midlands average of 19.6%.

The authority also estimates there are over 60,000 homes in the city with low energy efficiency.

Cllr Robinson added: "We expect these improvements will help to reduce energy bills, raise housing standards and reduce carbon emissions. They will also build on the fantastic work which has already been delivered by our private sector housing team who have a proven track record of success when it comes to delivering similar schemes."

The city council's cabinet is set to agree to accept the Warm Homes grant at a meeting on Tuesday 25 February.

The council will find out exactly how much it has been awarded from government in the next few weeks before releasing information on how to apply for funding.