FOCUS FUEL POVERTY
New UK government, new focus on warm homes?
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
This July, the general election is, of course, a key focus. Just a few weeks ago we released our manifesto for homes, setting out priorities for a new government to help end fuel poverty. Read more on pages 11 and 12.
We will also use the results of our local authority survey, see page four, to work out what a local fuel poverty strategy needs to cover to achieve its aims. Thank you to everyone who shared their views.
This issue of Fuel Poverty Focus also includes an introduction to our Warm Homes, Healthy Futures initiative with Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, SGN and Wales and West Utilities. See page three.
There are also details of our Belfast Warm and Well programme and our project aiming to lower energy bills with batteries and solar, in Devon.
We also look back at fundraising events including the London
Landmarks half marathon, see page 12. Plus we look forward to new projects you can get involved with including our low-cost, low-energy cookbook. Find out more about how to contribute recipes and help sponsor distribution on page 14.
Thank you to all members who contributed articles, on pages six to nine. If you would like to be included in the next issue please email focus@ nea.org.uk by 28 August.
We hope to see you at some of our forthcoming events including our one-day private rented sector conference on 6 August and our fuel poverty forums this autumn, dates to be announced. Post-election there is a lot to discuss.
Matt Copeland
Matt Copeland, Head of Policy and Public Affairs National Energy Action
CONTENTS
03: Project in Focus Warm Homes, Healthy Futures
04: Research in Focus
The results of our local authority survey and fuel poverty strategy
05: Northern Ireland in Focus Belfast's Warm and Well project
06: Members in Focus Updates from our members
08: Members in Focus Updates from Groundwork
09: Project in Focus
Lowering energy bills with batteries and solar in Devon
10: Policy in Focus Elections and our manifesto
12: Fundraising in Focus London Landmarks Half marathon, and how you can get involved
14: Events in Focus Our bootcamp and recipe booklet
15: Training in Focus Learn with us, including new courses
About Fuel Poverty Focus
Fuel Poverty Focus is the quarterly magazine, produced by National Energy Action, for its members. If you have content ideas for next issue and beyond please email focus@nea.org.uk
Newcastle Head Office West One, Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 3PA
Warm Homes, Healthy Futures
Project Development Manager Danielle Butler introduces National Energy Action’s new Warm Homes, Healthy Futures initiative, which aims to knit together local delivery services to improve health outcomes for those in fuel poverty.
Cold, damp, poor quality homes are disastrous for our health. In the UK, 6 million households are living in fuel poverty and 50% are also coping with multiple cold-related health conditions. The situation is extremely costly for the NHS, with the estimated annual cost of treating the health impacts of cold homes exceeding £1.4 billion and rising to more than £18 billion per year when factoring in wider societal costs. Each year, more than 10,000 deaths are attributable to living in cold, damp, poor quality housing – deaths that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says are preventable and avoidable.
Working to address this by building better links between health, energy, and housing, National Energy Action has launched Warm Homes, Healthy Futures – a nationally coordinated network of locally delivered services that will tackle fuel poverty and improve health for tens of thousands of people across Great Britain.
More than 20 Warm Homes, Healthy Futures areas have been identified so far.
checks and debt support, and boiler servicing. It will also involve frontline worker training, community engagement and awareness raising around key issues such as energy affordability, energy efficiency and Carbon Monoxide safety.
In establishing the network of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures services, National Energy Action and partners will work to support local health and housing bodies to harness critical insights and evidence the positive impact that fuel poverty services have on achieving a healthy future for vulnerable householders. These insights will highlight best practice in delivery, the value of health impacts, as well as the lived experience of support. The programme will enable effective partnership working between health, energy and housing, working collaboratively at area-based levels to tackle health inequalities and fuel poverty as part of a shared agenda.
The programme will enable effective partnership working between health, energy and housing
These will deliver support ‘on prescription’ by working with key partners in health and housing, alongside established and trusted local delivery agencies to reach people with health conditions, living in or at risk of fuel poverty. The programme will deliver energy bill support, ways of keeping warm and well at home, benefit
Warm Homes, Healthy Futures will run until March 2026 and is funded by the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance Fund. The programme is supported by the gas networks, Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, SGN, and Wales and West Utilities.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in getting involved, please contact Danielle Butler, Project Development Manager at danielle.butler@nea.org.uk
Local authorities face greater scale of household need
Our Local Authority Co-ordinator, Laura Beesley, shares the findings of our survey and the support local authorities need to tackle fuel poverty on the ground
Earlier this year, National Energy Action launched a survey of local authorities across the UK. The survey invited local authority staff to share their experiences responding to the energy crisis over the last two years, attempting to gain a better understanding of the ‘state of play’ in the many roles they play. We had a fantastic response, with 146 authorities providing feedback, from all over the country. From authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber down to London and across to Wales, with local and combined authorities and those covering rural and urban environments all represented.
Unsurprisingly, the responses highlighted the multitude of ways local authorities are supporting people struggling to stay warm in their homes and out of debt. The majority of respondents (46%) reported energy efficiency/retrofit as their main area of expertise, with cost of living
(34%) and housing/homelessness (34%) also featuring heavily. Other participants worked across debt and financial services, advice, social care, education, children’s services and corporate policy.
Topics explored included the experience of supporting residents with the rising cost of living, and the successes and complexities of administering a range of governmentfunded energy efficiency support schemes. The survey considered how local authorities working with landlords to improve conditions within the private rented sector and the current and potential opportunities for greater partnership and collaboration.
The survey confirmed that local authority officers are dealing not only with an increase in the scale of household needs in the last two years (67%) but even greater complexity of the need for those requiring support (51%).
Seventy-one percent of respondents noticed changes in the groups of people
What does a good fuel poverty strategy look like?
1. Rooted in partnership and shared accountability.
2. Acknowledges its place alongside the other strategic aims of the authority and its external partners.
3. Is guided by available data and lived experience. Good strategies use data to establish who is being reached – and more importantly who is not.
4. Targets support towards the most vulnerable households.
5. Seeks to balance immediate crisis support with investment in technology and innovation.
6. Is action led. Content is important, but any fuel poverty strategy becomes irrelevant without clear actions.
7. Political prioritisation. For strategy to turn into action it needs to have political prioritisation and stewardship.
experiencing fuel poverty and related vulnerability, with an increasing number of working adults and those in the private rented sector.
To address this complexity clear strategy will be required, and to be successful that strategy must be rooted in the specific needs of each local authority's population. Yet only 55% of respondents said that their authority has a fuel poverty strategy or equivalent.
At National Energy Action we have had the privilege of supporting a number of local authorities through the process of strategy creation and action planning.
If you would like support in creating a Fuel Poverty Strategy, please email our Local Authority Co-ordinator at laura.beesley@nea. org.uk
Making Belfast Warm and Well
NEA NI considers the Warm and Well project and how it has helped vulnerable households, including a woman with multiple serious health conditions.
The Belfast Warm and Well Project, established in collaboration with the Public Health Agency, National Energy Action and Belfast City Council, aims to support local residents struggling to keep their homes warm during winter. Due to available resources, the project now operates all year round, offering advice and practical support, including financial assistance following a needs assessment, to help vulnerable individuals stay warm and well.
The project targets several vulnerable groups: people aged 65 or older, those living with disabilities or long-term health conditions, pregnant women, households with young children, and low-income families. Referrals can be made in person, at partner organisations, or through referral agencies. These referrals are triaged to prioritise the most vulnerable individuals, with each client undergoing a needs assessment to determine appropriate interventions.
Support provided by the project includes energy efficiency advice, information on home heating and insulation schemes, draught-proofing measures, emergency radiators, winter warmth packs, heating system repairs, and assistance with oil fills and utility top-ups. Additionally, the project offers interactive energy efficiency seminars for local voluntary and community groups.
In winter 2023-24, additional funding from Belfast City Council expanded support to more vulnerable households. The project’s success relied on a network of trusted stakeholders and new systems and procedures, with National Energy Action providing training on the project's brief, conditions, assessment process, and delivery system.
From 18 January to 22 March 2024, the project assisted 625 households. The primary reason for referrals was the cost-of-living
Case study
A woman with multiple health issues, including COPD, asthma, and PTSD, was living in unsatisfactory social housing. Despite it being adapted, she cannot use stairs or the newly built extension/wet room because of the extent of mould and damp in the property. She had to borrow five pounds from her electricity provider simply to keep her supply on.
Warm and Well issued vouchers to meet her immediate needs, coordinated with an environmental health inspector, guided her in switching suppliers, and referred her to a community organisation for further support.
crisis. Of the referrals, 75% were from women, 69% were social housing tenants, and 43% had children under 18 at home. The majority (20%) had an income below £8,000. Many households also reported health issues exacerbated by their circumstances, with 65% experiencing mental health challenges.
Since its inception in 2019, the Warm and Well project has provided crucial support in times of crisis. By maximising partnerships with voluntary and community organisations, the project ensures comprehensive support for vulnerable households, especially during the challenging winter months.
Photo: Mike Martin/Shutterstock
How ‘Staying Warm’ in Newham got a little easier this year through innovation and collaboration
Eighteen months on from the launch of a new fuel poverty initiative in one of London’s most deprived areas, Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, that funded the project, shares an update on the progress so far...
The London Borough of Newham is one of the highest fuel poverty areas in the capital*, with nearly a fifth of all households struggling. In a bid to try and tackle this growing issue, last January saw the launch of a new collaborative community outreach project. Funded by the Cadent Foundation with a £237,811 grant, Stay Warm, brought together community partners to deliver a ‘one stop’ energy advice and support service, via a partnership between charities Groundwork and the Renewal Programme.
By taking a multi-agency approach to tackling fuel poverty, the service now provides energy advice and support, energy-related hardship grants and access to warm bank sessions for the local community. In addition, Groundwork’s Green Doctors work with Newham local authority to help residents access council funded support schemes. Since launch, the project has already supported almost 1,200 residents, with targets in place to reach an additional 3,000 people this year.
Upskilling and awareness
A further part of the programme has involved the training of more than 15 community energy champions. Recruiting advisers and training volunteers from a
diverse demographic background is helping to break down cultural and language barriers, ensuring local people who often fall through gaps in traditional support services, get the help they need. Furthermore, we’re finding that many of the people helped via the programme are keen to share their learnings with friends and family members, with some also now upskilled as community energy champions!
The Cadent Foundation’s aim is to help households find sustainable solutions to fuel poverty and the Stay Warm in Newham project has facilitated the creation of a successful partnership model, which we are keen to replicate in other priority locations across the UK.
With an estimated 6 million people still living in fuel poverty, ongoing work to find long-term solutions, remains vital. It’s positive hearing directly from local residents about the impact that even simple energy efficiency measures have made to bills. While we are all incredibly proud of the work done so far, there is still so much more to do. We’ve learned a lot during the initial phase of the project and have ambitious plans to upskill more energy champions. We’re hopeful that this collaboration, offering both practical and financial help where it is needed the most, will continue supporting those who are regularly facing
the hard decision on whether to heat their homes or feed their families.
About the Cadent Foundation
The Cadent Foundation was established in July 2019 with Cadent committing one per cent of annual post tax profits each year to the Foundation. Its aim is to help households find sustainable solutions to fuel poverty and ensure people are safe and warm in their homes. They work with charitable organisations to help households improve their financial wellbeing and become more energy efficient through advice, support and practical measures.
The funds of the Cadent Foundation are administered by Charities Trust (Charity Registration No: 327489) who will manage the grant giving and ensure that all grants donated by the Cadent Foundation are only used to further charitable purposes for the public benefit.
* ODI fuel poverty data (Open Data Institute).
More than £250
million
British Gas Energy Trust, a charitable trust independent of but solely funded by British Gas, has created £264 million in societal impact, a new report shows.
The Trust was created in 2004 to support households affected by fuel poverty. Over the last two decades, it has helped more than 2 million people through direct energy debt write-off grants, emergency fuel vouchers, and funding for money and energy advice projects across Britain.
A new report by Oxford Economics shows that for every £1 spent by the fuel poverty charity, its Social Return on Investment (SROI) is £5.50, more than double that of the previous report undertaken by Oxford Economics, which was £2.40 for the financial year 2014-15.
The Trust’s money and energy advice
Keep Warm Packs: a crucial resource for combating fuel poverty
When the weather gets colder, the challenges of fuel poverty increase, especially for elderly and low-income households. Solon takes us through what their Solon Keep Warm Packs offer to fuel poor households...
Solon Keep Warm Packs include essential items to help individuals stay warm and safe during the colder months. These packs, available from Solon, are designed to address the critical need for warmth and comfort, reducing the severe risks associated with cold weather.
What are Keep Warm
Packs?
Solon Keep Warm Packs include a selection of high-quality, sustainably sourced items aimed at providing maximum warmth.
Each pack contains:
• a woolly hat
• winter socks
• phone-friendly gloves
• a fleece snood
• a fleece blanket
• a reusable canvas bag
All items have been selected for their ability to retain heat and provide comfort, ensuring that individuals can stay warm even when indoor temperatures drop. Contents are packed in a reusable vacuum bag and placed into a canvas bag for hygiene and convenience.
Importance of Keep Warm Packs
The importance of these packs cannot be overstated. An estimated 4,950 excess winter deaths in the UK were caused by living in cold homes during winter 2022-23. With over 30,000 winter-related deaths each year in the UK, providing essential warmth can be life-saving. Solon Keep Warm Packs serve as a practical and immediate solution, helping to mitigate the severe impacts of fuel poverty.
and other organisations can offer direct support to those most in need.
Additional benefits and items
Over 100,000 Solon Keep Warm packs have been sent out
Over 100,000 Solon Keep Warm Packs have been sent out to households across the UK. Organisations such as local authorities, charities, and the fire service have all endorsed the packs for their quality and effectiveness. The positive feedback highlights the critical role that Solon Keep Warm Packs play in supporting community health and wellbeing during the winter months. By distributing these packs, councils, housing associations, charities,
Beyond the basic essentials, Solon offers a range of additional items which can be added to the standard pack, these can include glow-in-the-dark torches, space blankets, hygrometers/thermometers, stainless steel thermos flasks, portable battery lights and portable power banks. These additional items further support the overall goal of maintaining warmth and safety in today’s challenging conditions.
Power outages can be a major issue across the UK in the winter months – for this reason Solon offers a ‘Power Out Pack’ which provides vulnerable residents emergency access to light, comfort and an energy source. The pack now includes an exciting new product, a 2-in-1 glow-in-the-dark torch with a built-in power bank. Contact Solon today for more information on sales@solonsecurity.co.uk or visit solonsecurity.co.uk.
million in societal benefits over four years
projects generate the highest SROI at £6.50, the direct energy grants sit at £2.30-£2.60 and emergency fuel vouchers have an SROI of £1.10.
In the 2023-24 financial year, the Trust created £40 million in net benefits to society in England, £7 million in Scotland and £2 million in Wales. Around four in 10 direct grant recipients live in the 20% most deprived areas of the UK, with the regions of London, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber receiving the most support.
Oxford Economics used a wellbeing-centric approach to quantify its social value, which consisted of exchequer gains from NHS savings, increased
income tax and national insurance contributions.
The evidence from this report reinforces that the Trust's approach works. Holistic support has a significant positive impact on the lives of those supported, far in excess of the actual funds invested.
Jessica Taplin, CEO of the Trust, said:
'The dual crisis of rising energy costs and wider cost of living increases continues to have a devastating impact on households. We had a clear goal for the Trust when it was set up 20 years ago – to alleviate the detrimental impact of fuel poverty. With the support of our grant and funded organisation programmes, this new report brings home the positive impact we’ve made so far.'
To read the report, head to https:// britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/
Multi-million-pound programme to support those living in fuel poverty across England
A new £6 million, three-year Stay Warm, Stay Well programme aims to help tens of thousands of households struggling with high energy bills over three years, by offering practical guidance on energy saving and behaviour change tips...
Stay Warm, Stay Well aims to provide much-needed help for households who are struggling with their energy bills.
Groundwork Green Doctors – energy efficiency advisers – will visit homes and offer practical guidance on energy saving, behaviour change tips and referrals to other local support services, including debt advice and food banks.
Over the course of the three-year programme, over 14,500 consultations will take place in regions across England, with a particular focus on vulnerable households.
In addition to the Green Doctor support, the programme is also funding an initiative to support the creation of new energy advisers, via a 12-month traineeship opportunity, through the Green Doctor Academy. This scheme aims to create more accessible pathways into work, in particular for those who are unemployed or economically inactive, people with disabilities or individuals from an ethnically diverse background.
make ends meet – from skipping meals to living in permanently cold, damp homes – with many falling into debt. We’re also seeing more working people who are ineligible for government support but who still need advice on how to reduce their bills. We’re delighted that the Cadent Foundation is able to provide strategic, multi-year support for our Green Doctors, which will help us expand our service to more people and ensure we have a workforce able to meet growing demand.'
Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: 'We truly believe that a solid knowledge of how to optimise the energy efficiency of a home, is the key to alleviating fuel poverty in the long-term and the next stage in our partnership will allow us to expand the programme even further, increasing our involvement and doubling the amount of funding to help even more families.'
People are taking drastic measures to make ends meet, like skipping meals
Find out more at www.groundwork.org.uk/stay-warmstay-well
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: 'Feedback from our Green Doctors is that they’re visiting an increasing number of people who are taking drastic measures to
In addition to the new programme, Groundwork has developed a section of its website called Get Energy Help. This offers clear, simple advice on different ways to save energy, stay warm and reduce energy bills including resources on minimising heat loss or understanding meters.
Lowering electricity bills with heat pumps, batteries and solar in North Devon
National Energy Action’s Innovation and Technical Team revisits a heat pumps, batteries and solar development to see how it’s impacted on householders
Between 2020 and 2022, the Innovation and Technical Evaluation team at National Energy Action worked on an innovation project with North Devon Homes (NDH), funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress scheme. The project replaced storage heaters in seven off-gas grid homes with a wet central heating system using Vaillant Arotherm Plus air-source heat pumps. The installer, Boxergy, also fitted a 10kWh Alpha ESS electrical battery and a SunAmp heat battery in an external ‘Hero’ enclosure. This saved installation time and meant fewer components in the house. The households remained on an Economy 7 time-of-use electricity tariff. The battery charged overnight using cheap rate electricity and helped power the heat
pump and household appliances during the day.
An evaluation of the project was completed in January 2022 and is available on the National Energy Action website. Go to www.nea.org.uk/ publications/making-heat-cheapersmarter-and-greener.
Thermal comfort improved with the new heating system, with an increase in average and minimum room temperatures and a shift from room heating to whole-house heating. All the households saw between a 2 and 3.8°C rise in average temperature in at least one room with the new heating system. Over a year, one household used an average of 26.2 kWh/day with storage heaters with 69.6% of the consumption at the off-peak rate. The following year the average consumption was
20.76kWh/day with the ASHP and battery with 68.5% of consumption off peak.
A follow-on project has installed solar PV systems on these seven properties and 11 others with electric heating systems. All but one of the Boxergy installations had 5.81kW PV installations.
Systems were installed in August and September 2023. There have been some installation issues and a hybrid inverter failure. Early results have been impressive where longerterm data is available.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 May 2024, the PV generation for the five bungalows has ranged from 2,440 to 3,582kWh. Over this period, the reduction in electricity import was between 1,596 and 1,950kWh due to the solar generation. Had this consumption been at a peak rate of 30p/kWh, the savings would have been between £479 and £585. Between 54.4% and 72.7% of the solar generation was consumed by the households over the analysis period and the reduction in grid consumption was between 26.5% and 34.85%.
An evaluation of the solar PV project will be written up and published either later this year or early next year. We look forward to sharing further exciting results.
New government, new focus on warm homes?
With both a general election this July and this year's local elections, our Head of Policy Matt Copeland spells out what the next government needs to do...
This is a year of elections.
In May, local elections took place across the UK.
Thousands of councillors were elected, as well as mayors across 11 metropolitan regions. These elections, in particular the metro mayors, are becoming increasingly important for our efforts to end fuel poverty. The largest national political parties have all made commitments towards greater levels of devolution. The role of metro mayors will continue to grow, and we can expect that they will have more responsibility for addressing fuel poverty as we move towards the end of the decade. As you can expect, National Energy Action has
reached out to each of the elected mayors, and we will work closely with them to make a success of these efforts.
Then, the Prime Minister called an election for 4 July. Not another one.
This general election is incredibly important. Decisions made in the next parliament will dictate whether the statutory fuel poverty target, for all fuel poor homes to reach EPC C by the end of 2030, will be met, or missed.
Energy prices are high and will likely remain high for the rest of this decade. Recent polling shows households remain in crisis over energy bills. YouGov polling at the end of March, commissioned by National Energy
Action, found that 34% of GB adults say they have found it difficult to afford paying their energy bills over the previous three months.
And energy debt has grown considerably, totalling more than £3bn across Great Britain. Without action, this figure will continue to grow.
So what should the next UK government do about this? In our own manifesto, National Energy Action is pushing for political parties to commit to:
1. Realise the full benefits of meeting the legal fuel poverty commitments.
We estimate that three million households in England alone will still be trapped in fuel poverty by 2030 – despite a legal requirement to ensure all fuel poor homes in England are brought up to a reasonable standard of energy efficiency by the end of this decade. Early progress next parliament to improve the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes is essential if statutory fuel poverty and carbon targets are to be met. As well as building on and better targeting current programmes, this must include local delivery of energy efficiency, a national self-referral scheme and new standards for landlords to meet.
opportunity to deliver much-needed direct support to reduce energy bills for low-income households in the coming winter. This must be a priority for the incoming government.
3. Address record levels of energy debt which are crushing households, putting up prices and reducing economic activity.
The next government should introduce a new ‘help to repay’ scheme to accelerate the repayment of energy debt to put extra money back into people’s pockets and support local economies.
A huge amount of hard work lies ahead
If political parties commit to these things, we will be in an excellent position to combat fuel poverty throughout the rest of the decade. But even if they do, a huge amount of hard work lies ahead.
We look forward to working with you to make sure the next parliament is full of action to alleviate fuel poverty.
Read our Manifesto for Homes here. www.nea.org.uk/lived-experienceshome/manifesto-for-homes-2024.
Fuel poverty forums
National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Forums were held during April and May 2024. These forums were aimed at frontline service providers, to examine practical and policy initiatives related to fuel poverty and delivering energy efficiency solutions at a local, regional and national level.
There were eight forums held in England with 293 attendees and two forums held in Wales with 82 attendees.
Those who attended our Fuel Poverty Forums were supporting households experiencing fuel poverty directly – by providing fuel povertyrelated support (67% in England, 73% in Wales) or wider support (49% in England, 79% in Wales), or indirectly via partners and stakeholders (34% in England, 41% in Wales).
As a result of attending the Fuel Poverty Forums:
• 81% of attendees in England and 93% in Wales said that their organisation would be better able to directly support households experiencing fuel poverty
• 93% of attendees (in England and in Wales) said that their organisation will be better able to work with others to support households experiencing fuel poverty
2. Urgently provide vulnerable households with more support to pay for unaffordable energy bills.
We are calling on all political parties to commit to the introduction of a new mandated energy social tariff, providing lower bills or deeper energy discounts for the most vulnerable households. In the nearer term, a summer election provides the
• 92% of attendees in England and 91% in Wales said that their organisation had a clearer perspective on current and upcoming policy and advocacy priorities for addressing fuel poverty.
Our next forums will take place in September 2024. Keep an eye on www.nea.org.uk for dates.
If you would like to discuss opportunities to contribute please contact: james.kowacz@nea.org.uk (England) or ben.saltmarsh@nea.org. uk (Wales)
If you would like to find out more about corporate opportunities to support our Fuel Poverty Forums or other activities, please contact: jcj@ nea.org.uk.
Octopus excels at London Landmarks Half Marathon
On 7 April, we cheered on Team NEA at the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Over 40 runners from Octopus Energy took on the incredible challenge of running 13.1 miles around some of London's most iconic sights, raising funds for National Energy Action. We want to say a big thank you to Octopus Energy for sending a great team and raising over £8,500 for National Energy Action.
We're so proud of everybody who took part. The money raised helps us continue to do our vital work at a time when 6 million UK households are still struggling in fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty in the private rented sector - conference
National Energy Action is pleased to announce a new one-day conference, Powering Solutions, on Tuesday 6 August on fuel poverty in the private rented sector. The private rented sector is home to some of the lowest quality housing across all tenures, with a quarter of households living in fuel poverty. Amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, private renters are particularly vulnerable to high energy prices, with many either ineligible for government-funded energy efficiency schemes or lacking authority from landlords to install efficiency measures and low carbon heating systems.
Powering Solutions will bring together local authorities, landlords, tenant associations and the voluntary and community sector at the Holiday Inn in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Through presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions, attendees will explore the latest policy developments, successful initiatives by local authorities, and the pivotal role landlords play in enhancing energy efficiency.
The conference promises to be a platform for knowledge sharing and partnership building.
Attendance at this event is free. Places are limited and can be reserved by contacting molly.chambers@nea.org.uk.
Join Team NEA today
By joining Team NEA, you’ll be part of an amazing community of fundraisers taking on epic challenges to support some of the millions of people living in fuel poverty.
Whether you want to join a fun run with your team, finally complete your couch to 5k, or put your stamina to the test in a half marathon, we have something for everyone. Each one of our fundraisers will get personalised support every step of the way to help you reach your target and make the most of your event.
By taking on a fundraising challenge, you’ll be making a huge difference to support those who live in fuel poverty. If running isn’t your thing or you have an idea for a fundraising event, you can also contact Michael at michael.omalley@nea. org.uk to find out other ways to get involved. See our list of upcoming events on our website: www.nea.org.uk/support-us/ fundraise-for-national-energy-action/ running-events.
Mountain to climb for key supporter
This month, we are highlighting one of National Energy Action’s biggest supporters and dedicated advocate, John Pluck.
John became aware of National Energy Action in January 2023 when reading a BBC News article highlighting the story of Anne, who was experiencing fuel poverty after being diagnosed with a neurodegenerative autoimmune disorder. Anne since required use of ceilingtrack hoists, a powered wheelchair and a motorised door, all requiring charging and a lot of energy.
John told BBC News, ‘Anne's bravery to tell her story started all of this off. Her situation really opened my eyes, she said she had to decide whether she could use her wheelchair or eat.’
John initially approached Anne to personally cover her energy expenses for the next year. However, when Anne was offered John’s donation, she refused it.
Anne explained that, despite her situation, other people are in much worse positions. Anne directed John’s donation to National Energy Action; resulting in an incredible £10,000 donation and says he wants to donate at least £5,000 a year to help others like Anne.
Now, John is taking on a new challenge to raise an unbelievable £50,000. In September, John will be climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. John’s dedication to support people experiencing fuel poverty is truly inspirational and highlights the difference we can all make in the fight against fuel poverty.
Best of luck John in your challenge to climb Kilimanjaro and thank you to you and to all of our amazing fundraisers!
Upcoming runs:
• 6 September 2024 Great North Run 5km
• 6 October 2024 Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon
• 16 and 17 November 2024 Run Alton Towers (5km, 10km, half marathon)
• 4 and 5 December 2024 Santa in the City 5km
Our bootcamp empowers frontline staff
In March, the second of National Energy Action’s Energy Adviser Bootcamp series took place online and was attended by over 600 professionals from across the sector. Project Development Manager Molly Chambers hosted the session. It followed on from the previous energy advice bootcamp in winter 2023, which sought to get frontline advisers ready for winter delivery,. This bootcamp aimed to promote best practice and provide up-to-date knowledge for those engaging with crucial frontline delivery.
The webinar was designed based on the feedback from the last bootcamp evaluation to address the areas frontline staff wanted more information on. From the National Energy Action training team, Becky Laflain delivered a session on renewable technologies and changing energy-related behaviour as tasters of longer courses available to the sector.
Rebecca Jones, one of our Project Development Coordinators, shared some tips on best practice delivering in communities, which prompted some great feedback from other attendees on their top tips. The session was also attended by two BSL interpreters to make sure the content was accessible.
Attendee feedback included, “It gave me lots to think about how to present our advice in a more positive way,” and “I’ll have more confidence now when reaching out”.
We look forward to designing further bootcamps based on feedback from the evaluation and adapting this delivery method to support.
Help us cook up a storm
National Energy Action’s Project Development Manager, Molly Chambers, explains how you can get involved in our recipe book project, which focuses on low-cost and low-energy usage meals
From National Energy Action’s work in communities across Great Britain, we know that when talking to people about their energy use, they don't tend to talk about kwH or efficiency. Instead, they discuss how they use energy. And for most people that starts with cooking on a budget.
Meals are about so much more than the food itself. It’s a chance for people to use recipes that have been passed down through their families, and a chance to gather around the table and talk. At a time when people are struggling with sky-high energy bills, we don’t want people to sacrifice good meals that mean so much to them. So, we’ve decided to create a recipe booklet focusing on practical, affordable and energy-efficient cooking. The booklet will showcase recipes that use slow cookers and air fryers – appliances known for their lower energy consumption. But we need your help to make this project a success. We are looking for support from partners to contribute recipes that are simple, cost-effective, and made from store cupboard essentials. Our goal is to compile a diverse collection of dishes that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures within the communities we help. By sharing your recipes, you can help provide practical solutions for families struggling with high energy bills. Recipes should be:
• Simple - they should be easy to follow.
• Comprised of store cupboard essentials -
ingredients should be affordable
• Culturally diverse - we aim to include recipes from various cultural backgrounds to cater to our diverse community.
• Energy efficient - recipes that highlight energy-conscious methods of food preparation, ideally involving slow cookers or air fryers.
• Yours or your family’s - for copyright reasons the recipes can’t be already published in books or on websites.
What happens next?
Once the booklet is published, our advisers will hand them out at our community sessions. We are also planning some fundraising activities around the launch. These include ‘buy a copy, give a copy’ so those who can afford a pdf download will also fund a physical booklet for someone who needs it. We would also welcome support from larger organisations who are willing and able to sponsor printing and distribution.
Whether you're a home cook with a cherished family recipe or a professional with a flair for creating budget-friendly meals, we would love to feature your recipe. Please do ask organisations you work with if they would like to contribute, too. Together, we can create a valuable resource that will help households.
If you would like to contribute or more information, please contact molly.chambers@nea.org.uk.
TRAINING WITH NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION
National Energy Action offers a range of learning options relating to fuel poverty, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and more.
Our courses are available in a variety of formats including e-learning, webinars and face-to-face for flexible and convenient learning.
Learning options include: QUALIFICATIONS
● Level 1 Award - Using Energy in the Home - 11640
● Level 2 Award: Fuel Debt Advice in the Community 6281-16
● Level 2 Award: Introduction to Domestic Renewable Technologies in Decarbonising Energy Use in the Home [NEW]
● Level 3 Award: Energy Awareness 6281-01
● Level 4 Award: Decarbonising Homes: Technologies, Impacts and Solutions
SHORT INTRODUCTORY LEVEL COURSES
● Changing Energy-related Behaviour
● Dealing with the Energy Crisis
● Delivering High Quality Domestic Energy Advice
● Fuel Poverty and Health
● Introduction to Domestic Energy Efficiency
● Introduction to Domestic Smart Meters
● Paying for Fuel
● Tackling the Cold
● Understanding Fuel Poverty and Health: Impacts on Mental Health
● Vulnerability in the Energy Market
BESPOKE COURSES
These can be developed on request
● For more information go to www. nea.org.uk/training
New fuel poverty course to empower those living on their own for the first time
We are launching an education project funded by Siemens Energy for people moving into their first home. National Energy Action’s Training Team explains how it will benefit households...
ational Energy Action's Training Team is proud to announce our first-time tenants scheme, in partnership with Siemens Energy. The words, first-time tenants, often conjure up the image of a young person leaving school and embarking on their adult life with a supportive family to assist their transition. Whilst this is the case for some people, first-time tenants can also be: those overcoming homelessness; exservice personnel; young adults leaving the care system; those not in employment, education, and training;
migrants, and those who have lived with a family member who has passed away. These are only some of those who find themselves in a property on their own for the first time and are expected to understand their energy responsibilities without any support or guidance. This in-depth e-learning product will support first-time tenants to not only survive but to thrive in a safe, warm, and healthy first home, it will cover a variety of elements, including understanding bills, reading meters, budget management, and DIY to improve energy efficiency, plus much more.
Our Barnado's partnership
We're supporting people to learn more about their energy use...
Our training team also saw our first successful cohort of learners from our partnership with Barnardo's for the Level 1 qualification: Using Energy in the Home. This qualification has proven to be very popular among 16-yearolds in alternative education settings.The theme of this learning is to gather a basic introduction to managing energy and support people to become more knowledgeable about their energy use in the home.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION
National Energy Action, the fuel poverty charity, campaigns so everyone can afford to live in a warm and safe home. This is something denied to millions because of poor housing, low incomes, and high bills.
Working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, everything we do aims to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice and we advocate on issues including improving the energy efficiency of our homes.
We do not work alone. Partnerships and collaboration have been at the heart of NEA for over 40 years, helping us drive better health and wellbeing outcomes for people struggling to heat their homes.
WHERE TO FIND US
Email: focus@nea.org.uk
Web: www.nea.org.uk
NEA is an independent charity, Registration No. 290511. Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, No. 1853927 Registered office: Level 6, West One, Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PA Tel: 0191 261 5677
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