CREWE households will be able to buy low-cost energy as part of a new scheme announced by the borough council.

Cheshire East’s 170,000 households could soon benefit from the ground breaking energy deal –aimed at tackling fuel poverty by buying their supply through their local council.

The scheme which will enable anyone in the borough to buy their energy at a competitively low cost when compared to the Big Six energy suppliers.

Businesses could also take advantage of the scheme, unveiled by the council on Tuesday, October 14, and only the second of its type in the country.

A Cheshire East spokesman said: “Cheshire East Council will take the lead role in a strategic partnership with registered housing providers to become only the second local authority in the country to introduce a low-cost energy scheme for its residents.

“The alleviation of fuel poverty among Cheshire East residents is a key priority for the council, which has been investigating a range of potential initiatives to address this.

“The Council is already in talks with a supplier and further announcements will be made in due course as to how soon residents can begin switching to the council’s own preferred energy provider, offering the one of the most competitive tariffs.”

It is estimated that 9.5 per cent of households in the borough are living in fuel poverty.

Cheshire East Council leader, Councillor Michael Jones, welcomed the move as an ‘innovation’ for the borough and its residents.