THE National’s partnership with an ethical energy firm has raised thousands of pounds to fight fuel poverty in less than a fortnight, we can reveal.
This newspaper has teamed up with Scotland’s own Together Energy to offer a market-leading fixed tariff which supplies energy drawn from renewable sources.
During the first month, £60 will be donated to fight fuel poverty for every new sign-up.
And 10% of the paper’s proceeds will be diverted to this cause for the lifetime of each contract.
As many as one quarter of Scottish households are fuel poor, according to estimates.
The partnership launched on January 9, and since then more than £2000 has been raised for the cause.
READ MORE: Protect energy bills from Brexit with The National's energy tariff
Callum Baird, editor of The National, called the initial results “fantastic”, adding: “This is the first time a newspaper has worked with an energy company in this way, and it shows just what can be achieved.
“I’d like to thank all those who have signed-up for the tariff so far.
“It’s only through working together in this way to challenge some of the country’s most difficult problems that we can build a better Scotland.”
The Together Energy Green Brexit Protect 25 Month deal offers lower prices and is designed to keep costs stable during the Brexit transition period, regardless of any spikes that may hit the rest of the market.
Food banks will be used to help the proceeds reach struggling households and alleviate their heating and lighting problems.
Living in cold, damp conditions is known to exacerbate a range of medical conditions from asthma to depression and circulation issues.
READ MORE: Fuel poverty struggles revealed as we launch new partnership
Together Energy launched in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in 2016 as a challenger to the “Big Five” power firms.
It now has more than 15,000 customers, an £85 million turnover and a 140-strong workforce.
It uses youth unemployment schemes to recruit many of its staff, and gives them the chance to study part-time at university.
Ceara Campbell, a team manager, is among those who have taken up that offer. The 25-year-old mother spent more than two years at a “Big Five” firm before joining the team and is now working towards a business degree. She said: “The opportunities here are night and day compared to a larger, more corporate company. It’s going to give me a lot of career progression.
“The support and encouragement that you get is amazing. I started as an agent then went up to solutions manager.
“When I was on a normal wage I couldn’t put away savings. Now I’ve got my deposit saved up to buy my own house for me and my son. I’m finally financially stable.”
Together Energy has recently switched to a new in-house computer systems it says will help it deliver improved customer service – something the company is prioritising.
Chief operating officer Kevin Greenhorn, who joined the company late last year, welcomed the first results from the partnership with The National.
He said: “The first week of our unique partnership with The National, has resulted in around £2000 being raised to aid fuel poverty in local areas. We are delighted with this result and expect this number to continue to grow.”
To sign up or for more information on the Together Energy Green Brexit Protect 25 Month deal, visit www.bit.ly/national500.
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