Increasing strategic action against fuel poverty
The following provides a brief introduction into the work we are doing to ensure that strategic action against fuel poverty is increased. We aim to ensure that Government administrations enforce a mandatory end to fuel poverty; that comprehensive resources are available to facilitate fuel poverty solutions and preventions; that we have a strong membership base committed to delivering NEA's aims and objectives; that we produce credible research data and evidence to inform policy-making; and that the business sector is actively involved in addressing fuel poverty.
For further information on any of these projects please contact Maria Wardrobe, Director of External Affairs.
‘Footprint Award - Bigger Steps, Smaller Footprint' and community surgeries
The Footprint Award scheme is run in partnership with DECC and British Gas and aims to highlight the links between tackling fuel poverty and climate change and exemplify best practice at a local level. One agency in each English region will be awarded £2000 to develop a project related to energy efficiency, fuel poverty and sustainable energy, and take part in a community event to promote their work at a local level. Of the nine regional winners, one agency will be selected to receive an additional £3000 to further develop their work. The scheme will open in September, see NEA website for details.Low Carbon Network Fund - Customer-led network revolution
For this three year programme, NEA is working alongside Centrica, CE Electric, EA Technology and Durham University focusing on measuring the implications of emerging low carbon technologies such solar PV, Air Source Heat Pumps and electric vehicles on the distribution network infrastructure. As part of our role NEA is researching methods of customer engagement and incentives to change domestic electrical demand profiles.Health briefings
The changing structure of the health service and the role of GPs and Local Authorities in contributing to the reduction of cold-related illness and excess winter deaths will have an impact on both policy and practice to address wider health inequalities, including fuel poverty. This project will involve working with npower's Health Through Warmth team to arrange briefings throughout the year with key policy and decision makers within the health sector, providing the opportunity to debate the findings of The Marmot Review Team's recent report ‘The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty' and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health/BRE report on the ‘The Health Costs of Cold Dwellings'.Partnership Networks
Partnership networks
NEA holds an annual reception to promote its work with partners to Members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The 2011 event will be supported by npower and hosted by NEA's President, with over 150 of NEA's key partners and stakeholders in attendance, including key representatives from the energy efficiency industry; voluntary sector partners and private sector supporters of NEA.All-Party Parliamentary Fuel Poverty Energy Efficiency Group (FPEEG)
NEA provides the secretariat for this all party group, which aims to maintain awareness in Parliament of fuel poverty issues; to monitor and comment on progress against Government targets to eradicate fuel poverty; to advocate policies to deliver affordable warmth for vulnerable households with emphasis on how this can be achieved through improved domestic energy efficiency including effective thermal insulation and efficient and economic heating systems. The group currently has 66 parliamentary members and 36 Associate Members, for further information contact Brian Hart or visit the website at www.fpeeg.org.uk.MP briefings
Briefing sessions engage MPs and Peers on a range of relevant issues and topics under the themes including ‘How can the most vulnerable manage energy bills in a high cost, low carbon world?'Fuel poverty seminar series
Following on from the successful 2010-11 regional seminar series ‘Fuel Poverty - A Time For Change', NEA will be working in partnership with British Gas to deliver a series of seminars in four locations throughout England to inform agencies on the Government's consultation around the Energy Company Obligation and feedback their views to DECC as part of the consultation process. The seminars will take place in November 2011 to link with the consultation period, further information will be posted on our website once available.Political party conferences 2011
NEA will be working with partners to maintain a presence at the three main party political conferences in England, engaging with MPs and key decision makers on a one-to-one basis and via participation in relevant fringe meetings.Warm Homes CampaignWarm Homes Campaign 2011
This annual campaign will take place in November/December and aims to raise awareness amongst politicians and members of the public of the problem of fuel poverty and the solutions that are available to those struggling to heat their homes affordably. An accompanying award scheme will provide grants for organisations that wish to participate to enable them to hold their own events. The 2011 campaign will run with the support of E.ON and will complement the activities in the Community Energy Fit project.
The UK Fuel Poverty Monitor
The ‘Monitor', funded by Ebico, will provide an independent critique of progress towards achievement of fuel poverty eradication targets, with particular reference to the energy efficiency improvement schemes operated by the Westminster Government and devolved administrations. The comparative analysis undertaken for the monitor presents an opportunity to analyse and identify good practice in the individual countries with a view to wider adoption and replication.Green Deal advice for vulnerable households
This project, funded by DECC, will involve undertaking a programme of research to identify the type of advice that vulnerable people would benefit from under the proposed Green Deal/Energy Company Obligation advice service, and determine how this can be delivered to ensure optimum take-up amongst vulnerable citizens.Fuel poverty information services
As the only Fuel Poverty Charity working across the UK, NEA's fuel poverty information services are a central and essential function underpinning all activities that the organisation undertakes. We are the first point of contact for many members of the public or relevant stakeholders looking for further information on fuel poverty, either through direct contact or via our website, while our specialist journal, Energy Action, provides a platform for academics and practitioners to set out their views and research and provides an overview of parliamentary debates.A socially just transition to a low carbon economy and society
Commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Fund, this thinkpiece will aim to inform the energy and social justice debate and contribute to energy policy development by addressing the question: ‘How, and to what extent, can UK energy and fuel poverty policy contribute to a socially just transition to a low carbon society?' It will examine historic, current and future energy and fuel poverty policies within the context of their historic and potential outcomes for social justice, leading to an enhanced understanding of the social justice implications of current and future energy policies. It will appear on NEA's website in the autumnThe direct and indirect effect of energy policy on the fuel poor
NEA is working with the Renewable Energy Foundation to deliver a research project examining the effects of current and future policy on energy prices to the consumer, and thus on levels of fuel poverty.Business Supporters Group and Membership services
NEA is a membership organisation, relying on our members as both a source of income and for support in achieving its aims and objectives. We provide a range of services to our members including discounted training and events; a monthly email and quarterly newsletter; invitations to high-profile networking events; and access to fuel poverty statistics. BSG members also receive free exhibition space and attendance at the NEA Conference and four policy meetings each year.House of Commons Members event - November 2011
This event will raise awareness of NEA's members' activities and encourage support from, and engagement with, Members of Parliament. It will enable NEA to thank members and recognise their support for NEA throughout the year.Heat Heroes - 30th Anniversary award schemeHeat Heroes - 30th Anniversary award scheme
This year NEA is working with ScottishPower to celebrate the charity's 30th anniversary by launching an award scheme to recognise the significant contribution made by individuals in the fuel poverty arena who have ‘gone above and beyond' what would be expected of them in the course of their work. To enter or nominate someone please go here.
Annual conference and exhibition - ‘A Green Future Fit for the Fuel Poor'
This is the only national conference where annually over 250 policy makers, researchers, campaigners and practitioners gather to debate and share good practice on fuel poverty and affordable warmth. The 2011 conference is being supported by npower and will be held at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate from 14-16 September, for further information go here.Wales Ministerial Advisory Group on Fuel Poverty
NEA Cymru continues to support the Wales Ministerial Advisory Group on Fuel Poverty.Cross Party Group
NEA Cymru continues to support the Fuel Poverty Cross Party Group in the National Assembly for Wales, which is well supported by Assembly Members and stakeholders.Evidence for policy making
NEA Cymru is developing briefings for the Welsh Government and Assembly Members on a range of topics, relating to both devolved and non-devolved issues.Fuel Poverty Charter Coalition Wales
NEA Cymru continues to co-lead and to chair the Wales Fuel Poverty Charter Coalition. This formidable fuel poverty campaigning force has the support of 91 organisations and individuals across Wales including 34 AMs and 7 MPs and has recently launched six key priorities for the fourth Assembly to achieve by January 2012 towards the eradication of fuel poverty in Wales.Fuel Poverty Action E-network
Around 1500 stakeholders belong to the NEA Cymru e-network, receiving and contributing to fortnightly updates on policy, events, training and other news relating to fuel poverty