British Gas tackles poverty

British Gas has formed an alliance with seven charities to help tackle fuel poverty in the UK.

The energy company, part of the Centrica group, is spending £150million ($236m) via its ‘Here to Help’ initiative on free insulation, fuel discounts and heating equipment for half a million households. BG says winter deaths rose by 11 per cent last year, partly due to fuel poverty. Among the charities who will work with BG on the three-year scheme are Help the Aged, Save the Children and Scope.