VULNERABLE tenants across Fenland will be given a lifeline to stop them falling into the debt trap, thanks to a �1million grant awarded to Roddons Housing Association.

The cash - from the Big Lottery Fund - will be used by the landlords to deliver their ‘Managing your Money’ project, which is set to benefit 2,500 people across the district.

The project is backed by TV money saving expert Martin Lewis. and the grant has been welcomed by North East Cambs MP Steve Barclay.

Mr Barclay said: “‘I am delighted that such a substantial grant has been made to support some of my most vulnerable constituents. For too long North East Cambridgeshire did not receive its fair share of grants but this appears to be changing’.

The grant is one of 37 to be awarded by the Lottery Fund, as part of a �30million scheme.

The Roddons debt project will work to equip tenants with the skills to manage their household income and expenditure. In addition it will help them to access financial services and respond to changes in their circumstances.

It will also focus on new tenants and provide workshops on eating cheaply, choosing the right energy tariff and ICT training.

Mr Barclay added: ‘Much of the help available centres on people who have already got into debt. Whilst this is important, schemes like this which focus on prevention can be far more effective. It can be very easy to fall into the debt trap, especially with high cost credit, but this grant could stop this becoming a reality for many families in our area.”

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund Head of East of England region, said: “We wanted to prevent debt from starting or getting worse for people on very low income. When you have very little and you don’t have the confidence to work through the maze of modern money management, it can be tough getting the right support. “