“MORE help” is needed for families struggling to heat their homes amid the cost-of-living crisis, a councillor has said.

Basildon Council has been awarded £1.835 million in a second round of Government funding to improve energy efficiency in low-income households.

The funding will pay for energy efficiency upgrades in homes with combined incomes below £30,000 or in receipt of certain benefits, and in particularly low energy efficiency rated homes.

But councillor Kerry Smith claims the funding does not go far enough to address the issue, with many residents recently plunged into poverty by skyrocketing energy costs.

Mr Smith said: “Everything helps to improve insulation and save residents money, but with so much poverty in the borough, that £1.835 million isn’t going to touch the sides. Residents need more help.”

“It’s going to be a hard choice for the council who gets to benefit, when so many residents are paying so much already on their gas and electricity bills.

He added: “If the Government is genuinely committed to this, then there needs to be another zero on the end of that figure to make any real difference. People are already struggling with massive bills, that aren’t getting any cheaper.”

The council has previously benefited from £500,000 from the funding scheme, awarded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Councillor Craig Rimmer said: “This is good news, with households in Basildon already in receipt of funding, there is a second tranche of funding coming through that we are set to get a good portion of.

“It is excellent for the people of the borough, and well done to the officers who have been involved in securing this money.”

Projects to upgrade residents’ homes forms part of the councils plans to phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating and deliver progress towards the UK’s commitment to net zero by 2050.

The works could include fitting loft insulation, cavity or solid wall insulation or energy efficient heating.

Funding is also available for private landlords, local authority owned properties and social housing, although in these cases, a 33 per cent contribution from the landlord is required.