To influence voluntary and regulated social programmes within the energy sector
NEA will be undertaking the following projects with the aim of ensuring that vulnerable and low-income consumers can access preferential tariffs, that best practice in targeting and accessing vulnerable households is shared; that social need is reflected in carbon saving initiatives, and that there is a robust regulatory framework.
Delivering solutions to fuel debt
This project, supported by DECC, will provide advice and raise awareness on issues not covered by other advisory bodies relating to vulnerable households and the risks of fuel poverty. Working at a local level to provide communities with capacity to support vulnerable householders to manage fuel bills and fuel debt more effectively and at a national level with development of a Debt Agency Advice Network.Fuel debt training and support package
In previous years NEA has developed and piloted a fuel debt advice course to train debt and money advisors specifically in the issue of fuel debt, and provided a mentoring and support aftercare service. In 2011-12 NEA, with the support of British Gas, will be delivering 40 fuel debt training courses as well as developing a fuel debt training and support package for the newly appointed Fuel Debt Advice workers from the British Gas National Centre of Excellence Debt Support Programme and other debt advisors from throughout the UK.Winter Fuel Payment research
Funded by npower, this research is improving understanding of how households use their Winter Fuel Payment, by investigating the extent to which it is used to meet winter quarter fuel costs or for spending on other goods and services. The report will consider how the timing of the payment interacts with other budgetary constraints and how the payment interacts with the overall household budget. Download PDF copy.Green Deal and affordable warmth: Supporting local authorities and communities
This two-year initiative is supported by DECC and will involve work with local authorities, local community organisations and Green Deal/ECO providers to develop plans to deliver the Green Deal/ECO for vulnerable households. It will ensure that carbon reduction and fuel poverty objectives are incorporated into broader climate change and energy efficiency activities, and that the ECO is successfully targeted at vulnerable households.Evaluation of "FIT for Free" solar PV initiatives on social housing.
NEA is working with Carillion on an evaluation of solar PV installations across the South of England focusing on tenant behaviour change and operational issues experienced by key partners involved in their installation.CEEF reporting
NEA will continue to monitor and evaluate the CEEF programme on behalf of DECC, completing the review of information provided by the 49 CEEF projects, capturing relevant comments and providing a summary report on each individual project and the project as a whole.