Energy giant Centrica has announced a £2.4 million partnership with the Multibank charity to combat material and fuel poverty across Britain. The three-year initiative, launched today at Multibank's hub in Lochgelly, Fife, will provide essential household goods and targeted energy support to struggling families.
The partnership brings together Centrica's £800,000 annual contribution with Multibank's established network of six hubs and over 3,000 local charities. Since its founding in 2022 by former prime minister Gordon Brown, the charity has distributed more than 14 million essential items to over two million families.
Gordon Brown emphasized the collaborative approach: «Britain needs a Coalition of Compassion — government, businesses and communities working together to prevent families falling into hardship. No family should be forced to choose between heating and eating. By linking The Multibank's local networks with Centrica and the British Gas Energy Trust, this partnership means more families can get the essential goods and support they need alongside immediate help with heating and energy costs.»
What the partnership delivers
The initiative combines practical support with financial relief. Families will receive essential goods including warm bedding, clothing, baby items, hygiene products, and furniture. Through collaboration with the British Gas Energy Trust, the partnership also offers energy debt relief, emergency fuel vouchers, and white goods grants.
Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea said: «When people fall behind on their energy bills, they are almost always struggling with everything else too. Poverty doesn't happen in silos — a broken cooker, a lack of warm bedding or mounting energy debt can tip families into crisis. Working with the Multibank allows us to support families earlier with both essentials and targeted energy help — from emergency fuel vouchers to white goods grants — so they can stay warm, safe and secure this winter and beyond.»
Tracey Talbot, interim chief executive at British Gas Energy Trust, stressed the value of integrated support: «For the Trust, working in partnership and collaboration with charities like the Multibank means we can offer more rounded, practical support for people, combining energy debt relief and emergency support with access to the everyday essentials many of us take for granted.»
Government backing
The initiative aligns with government efforts to tackle the affordability crisis. Energy consumers minister Martin McCluskey said: «Tackling the affordability crisis is this Government's number one priority. That is why we are extending the £150 Warm Home Discount so millions of eligible families will receive it in winter for the rest of the decade, and taking an average of £150 of costs off energy bills from April. This crucial initiative builds on that work – providing vital support to those who need it most, this winter and beyond.»
The funding will strengthen Multibank's operations and enable expansion through new satellite hubs across the country.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
