CITIZENS Advice has teamed up with Cornish comedian Kernow King to show people how they can save money on their heating bills this winter.

Government statistics show that 13% of households in Cornwall and 21% of households on the Isles of Scilly are affected by fuel poverty, among the highest rates in the country.

Citizens Advice Cornwall and comic actor Kernow King have produced a new fast-paced and humorous video with a serious message. It shows people how they can save money and keep warm by following some simple, practical steps at home.

The video can be viewed on You Tube https://bit.ly/36xjNPw or the Citizens Advice Cornwall website.

, said: “With the economic effects of the coronavirus lockdown, the effects of not having enough money to pay fuel bills could be greater than ever this winter,” said Citizens Advice Cornwall Chief Executive, Gill Pipkin.

“So we are putting a big effort into helping people cope with the cold and keep their bills down.”

There are also two new initiatives being launched by the charity: the first is a telephone and online service to give people advice on their energy bills, including things like: making your home warm; switching supplier; paying-off fuel bills; and the grants and schemes that could help.

The project is backed by Western Power Distribution and the Energy Saving Trust.

Powerhouse, another project launched by Citizens Advice and funded by Ofgem, targets young people in Cornwall who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS) or leaving care.

The key aims of the scheme are that participants can better manage their fuel payments and remain out of fuel debt and poverty as a result; access additional income through benefits which will help them meet their fuel bills; access improvements in insulation or heating provision to make them meet their fuel bills, and in the process, reduce their energy consumption and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

Members of the public can access advice on energy issues by texting the word ADVICE to 78866 and they’ll receive a call back within 48 hours (excluding weekends).