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HELPFUL LINKSA-C D-F G-I J-L M-O P-R S-U V-ZA list of Utility trusts which have funds to assist groups or individuals dealing with Fuel Poverty was published in December 2006. Click here for details.A to CAge Concern Energy Services - A joint initiative between e.on and Age Concern which markets through Age Concern's network of local groups. It offers a number of benefits for customers, including a special tariff package, an energy efficiency survey and advice, a non-disconnection policy, and free heating if the temperature falls below 0°C. Beacon Councils - The Beacon Council Scheme was established by the Government to select a number of councils to act as centres of excellence and help spread best practice in a range of policy areas to all local authorities. Tackling fuel poverty has been identified as a theme for the third phase of Beacon Councils. The successful Beacon Councils are chosen by an independent assessment panel. The third phase councils are expected to be announced in January 2002. British Gas Energy Trust - The British Gas Energy Trust, which incorporates the Scottish Gas Energy Trust, is an independent Charitable Trust established in September 2004 which aims to contribute to the fight against poverty. Covering England, Scotland and Wales it is the one of the first Trusts of its kind and makes a significant difference to those in need. Grants are available to help individuals and families in need to meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs. The Trust will also fund voluntary sector organisations to provide money advice services and money management education projects. The Trust is overseen by a number of independent, unpaid Trustees and is managed on a day-to-day basis by Charis Grants Ltd, an organisation which has significant grant making experience. CHP - Combined Heat and Power, utilising the waste heat from electricity generation can provide more efficient and much cheaper electricity and heating for households served by community heating. Domestic CHP units for individual properties or small groups of properties are likely to be available soon. Cold Weather Payments - Payment made during a period of exceptionally severe weather to vulnerable households on Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. D - FThe Disabled Living Foundation - is a national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of disability equipment and mobility products for older and disabled people, their carers and families. They have created the Ask SARA (Self Assessment, Rapid Access) website that can provide useful hints and tips about ways to make your life easier, details of products that might help you, and details of where you can obtain them. Advice on heating and cooling for the elderly and disabled can be found in this section. The EDF Energy Trust Fund - the first independent energy trust fund - has donated over £1 million to individuals and close to another £1 million to organisations linking with vulnerable customers since being launched in October 2003. The Trust Fund offers advice to enable customers to manage their household finances, grants and if appropriate financial awards. Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) - EEC, (formerly known as Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance ,EESoP) is an obligation on gas and electricity suppliers to encourage or assist domestic customers to take up energy efficiency measures. Energy Efficiency Partnership (EEP) - EEP was launched in April 2000 and is facilitated by the Energy Saving Trust. The Partnership provides a mechanism to bring together all those with an interest in domestic energy efficiency and in combating fuel poverty to achieve their objectives more effectively. energywatch - The body that represents energy consumers - it replaced the Gas Consumers Council and the Electricity Consumers' Committees. Energy Efficiency Advice Centres (EEAC's) - Agencies providing advice on the efficient use of energy to householders and small businesses. The network is overseen by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and has national coverage. Energy Saving Trust (EST) - A non-profit making company set up by Government and the major energy companies. Its purpose is to work through partnerships towards the sustainable and efficient use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors. Energy Saving Wales - This Energy Saving Wales portal website provides links to publicly funded organisations that offer energy information, advice and support to householders, public sector and business. Fuel Direct - Scheme administered by the Benefits Agency whereby householders on Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance have sums deducted from their benefit to cover current consumption and to recover debt. Fuel Poverty - Where a combination of poor housing conditions and low income mean that the household cannot afford sufficient warmth for health and comfort. The widely accepted definition of fuel poverty is where a household needs to spend 10% or more of income to meet fuel costs. G - IHealth Action Zones (HAZ) - HAZ's are partnerships between the NHS, local authorities, the voluntary and private sectors, and local communities. As well as tackling major health problems, they link work on health, regeneration, employment, education, housing and anti-poverty initiatives in innovative ways. Health Through Warmth - funded by RWE and operated by npower, Health Through Warmth will train health professionals to offer energy advice, provide assistance to help the most vulnerable people and provide funding for community projects. The scheme, which has operated in the West Midlands since July 2000 is currently operational in 18 areas of England and Wales. Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) - HECA requires all UK local authorities with housing responsibilities to prepare an energy conservation report identifying measures to significantly improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area and to report on progress in implementing the measures. Home Improvement Agencies (HIA's) - HIA's provide independent advice and help to assist vulnerable people and those on low incomes to carry out repairs, improvements and adaptations to their home. There are over 200 HIA's operating in England, the majority of which receive Government grant support. J - LKeep Warm Keep Well - This campaign is a joint venture between the Department of Health, NEA, Age Concern, the Benefits Agency, Defra, Help the Aged, Department of Social Security and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. An information and advice booklet is produced and distributed to households as well as a resource pack for health professionals. M - ONational Right to Fuel Campaign - The Campaign was founded in 1975. The Campaign's initial priority was an end to disconnections and today the main focus is still on the protection of disadvantaged energy consumers in the competitive energy market. The Campaign's steering group includes representatives from a wide range of voluntary and not for profit organisations. NVQ's - National Vocational Qualifications are based on standards developed by industry with the aim of raising the standards of people's competence and giving them recognition for their skills. NVQ's in energy efficiency are jointly awarded by NEA and City and Guilds. Ofgem - The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets is the regulatory body for the electricity and gas industries and protects the interests of consumers, ensuring they get value and choice, by promoting competition and regulating monopolies. P - RPUAF - Founded in 1989, the Public Utilities Access Forum (PUAF) is an informal association of organisations which helps to develop policy on the regulation of the public utilities providing electricity, gas, communications and water services in England and Wales. Private Sector Renewal Grants - Discretionary grants given by local authorities to help private home- owners to repair and improve their homes. Assistance can be given for a range of purposes, including work to make the property more energy efficient. The Royal Bank Key Account - A joint initiative between the Royal Bank of Scotland and ScottishPower which aims to bring direct debit savings to low-income households. The Key Account enables ScottishPower customers, who have not previously held a bank account and who pay bills with cash or prepayment meter, to benefit from direct debit savings, and other banking facilities. S - UThe Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) RATING - SAP is the Government's standard for home energy rating. SAP ratings provide a simple indicator of the efficiency of energy use for space and water heating in new and existing dwellings. SAP ratings are expressed on a scale of 1 (poor) to 100 (excellent). Scottish Power Energy People Trust - The ScottishPower Energy People Trust is an independent charity established to help end fuel poverty in the UK. The Trust can provide funds for not-for-profit organisations who work with or represent the vulnerable and fuel poor to help those most in need. Social Action Plan - The Social Action Plan developed by Ofgem is a framework for action across a wide range of activities to ensure that the economic benefits of liberalisation are spread fairly among vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers. Transco's Affordable Warmth Scheme - The Affordable Warmth scheme supports the installation of gas fires, heating systems, including community heating and insulation in up to one million homes by 2007, through the use of operational leases. e.on Staywarm - Staywarm is an energy service that aims to help reduce fuel poverty. Customers are offered as much gas and electricity as they need at a fixed annual cost with no reconciliation. The service is available to those over 60 and the freephone number is 0800 1694 694. Utilities Act 2000 - The Act updates and brings together the formerly separate regulation of the gas and electricity industries, reflecting the increasing convergence of these industries. The Act received Royal Assent on 28 July 2000. V - ZWarm Deal - The Warm Deal was introduced in Scotland on 1 July 1999. It provides households on benefit with a package of insulation measures up to the value of £500. Warm Front Team - Warm Front Is the main scheme running in England. The concept recognises the team approach needed to tackle fuel poverty at local level and the need for partnerships between Government, local authorities, health workers, caring organisations and the energy utility companies to ensure effective delivery of all schemes available to help the fuel poor. Warm Homes Initiative - The Scheme provides grants for low-income households in Northern Ireland. It came into operation on 1st April 2001, installations will commence in July 2001. The Warm Homes Initiative replaces the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES). Warm Zones - This is a programme that draws together local partnerships involving energy utilities, local authorities and voluntary groups in a co-ordinated effort to tackle fuel poverty in defined areas in a systematic way. Warm Zones are running in: Northumberland; Newcastle; Gateshead; North Tyneside, Hull; Sandwell; Kirklees; North Staffs; East & West London . Work is also done in coordination with Warm Wales in Neath and Port Talbot, as well as Wrexham. Useful Telephone Numbers
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