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A charity helping people in fuel poverty will benefit from £700,000 of Welsh Government funding this winter.

The money is being given to the Fuel Bank Foundation, which was originally set up by Npower but is now an independent charity.

The funding will go towards the charity’s fuel voucher and heat fund scheme, which supports people facing fuel poverty, particularly those relying on pre-payment meters or lacking mains gas access.

Around 200 off-gas grid households will receive help with bulk fuel purchase through the heat fund thanks to the extra funding.

The Welsh Government also said a further 700 people living in fuel poverty will receive an electric throw this winter.

This year, the Welsh Government has provided £1.2m of support to help around 8,400 households, or 29,000 people, with crisis fuel vouchers.

Jane Hutt, Wales’ social justice secretary, said: “By increasing funding for the Fuel Bank Foundation, we’re making sure that more people won’t have to face the impossible choice between staying warm and meeting other basic needs.

“We understand the pressures that high energy costs create, and we’re committed to easing that burden so people can focus on their wellbeing and stability.”

Chief executive of Fuel Bank Foundation, Matthew Cole, said: “Fuel poverty is a blight on society, causing physical and emotional misery to thousands of people across Wales, many of whom are either vulnerable or on low income. Their financial situation is desperate and without support they face living in cold, dark, damp and dangerous homes.”

He said the Welsh Government funding “has already enabled us to provide emergency fuel vouchers and bulk fuel deliveries to thousands of homes, with thousands more now set to benefit”.