CASH-STRAPPED residents could see hundreds of pounds slashed off their fuel bills thanks to a pioneering project.
A new comparison website being set up for Nottingham will tell people how to get the best deal on their fuel bills.
Unlike other websites, it will allow those with energy debts of up to £500 to swap suppliers, along with residents who have pre-paid meters.
The site – called the Nottingham Energy Tariff – is being launched by Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes at a time when fuel bills have been rising well-ahead of inflation.
Figures show that 21,000 people in Nottingham are now classed as being in "fuel poverty" – which means they have to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on heating and lighting.
Yet 60 per cent of city residents have never switched energy providers, leaving some paying higher bills than they need to.
Councillor Alan Clark, the council's portfolio holder for energy, said: "If you switch, you tend to save around £200 a year.
"Nottingham has a fairly high level of not switching. Some of the problems include being in arrears with fuel bills or being on a card meter – and we'll tackle that head-on."
The new website will be launched next month. Residents will enter the amount they spend on energy or the number of kilowatts they use and the site will then point them in the direction of the best deal.
It will allow residents to secure discounts if they sign up in groups and people living outside the city boundary in Notts will also be eligible to use it.
The website will look at deals with the "big six" companies – E.on, British Gas, nPower, Scottish Power, SSE and EDF.
The council is investing £15,000 in the scheme with a further £52,000 coming from the Government.
Council staff at libraries, contact centres and housing offices will be trained to give advice on the service to residents who do not have internet access. The website details will be released next month.
