Northumberland Labour says it’s outrageous that people with second or subsequent properties in the county will benefit from help with energy bills.

Leader Scott Dickinson said: “An eye watering £1.4m is going to people who have a second home in our county to help them pay their energy bills; There are more than 3,500 second homes in the county.

“What a slap in the face for local people who can hardly afford to have one home in the place they were born and bred.

“This grant is going to everyone, regardless of need, so people with multiple homes will benefit multiple times over.

“We’re told the system of taking out second home owners would be too complicated but honestly, where there’s a will there’s a way.

“It’s strange how to government can pinpoint to the last person when they’re taking £20 a week from people who really need it.”