Wales/Cymru

Who are we?

NEA Cymru is the Welsh arm of NEA (National Energy Action) the UK's leading fuel poverty charity. In Wales, as in the rest of the UK, we campaign for an end to fuel poverty through affordable warmth for all.

Following consultation with stakeholders, we have devised the following objectives for NEA Cymru:

Working with all political representatives to raise awareness of the resources and measures needed to eradicate fuel poverty
Developing strong coalitions against fuel poverty to enhance knowledge and networking opportunities and ensure stakeholder experiences inform policy and practice
Developing national qualifications and managing their implementation to improve standards of practical work and the quality of energy advice
Developing innovative pipeline projects that contribute to the eradication of fuel poverty in Wales and provide the evidence base to inform planning and strategy for Wales as well as practical gains to our communities
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Fuel Poverty in Wales

Fuel Poverty is on the rise in Wales as it is across the rest of the UK. In October 2007, the Welsh Assembly Government published the findings of its Living in Wales survey. This showed that although fuel poverty had fallen significantly between 1998 and 2004 - from 330,000 to 134,000 households - rising energy prices mean that the number of fuel poor households almost doubled to 240,000- 250,000, between 2004 and 2006. Of these households 209,000 are classed as "vulnerable". Further energy price increases in 2008 mean that we estimate that 320,000 households in Wales are now in fuel poverty.

Behind the statistics lie real life stories, of people who are living in cold, damp homes - going without heating and putting their health at risk, or getting into unmanageable debt just to pay their bills. We hear stories of grandparents shivering in winter because they know that if they pay their heating bill, they won't be able to afford Christmas presents for their grandchildren. We also hear of young people getting into unmanageable debt to pay their heating bills.

A crucial part of NEA Cymru's work involves campaigning for more Government action to tackle fuel poverty. The Welsh Assembly Government has set targets to eradicate fuel poverty by 2018, with interim targets to eradicate fuel poverty among vulnerable groups by 2010 and in social housing by 2012. These targets have given emphasis and focus on the need to deliver practical help to low-income households at risk from the consequences of fuel poverty. But, there are many practical difficulties that impinge on the achievement of these targets:

Recent energy price increases means that by the end of 2008 the average household bill for a household in Wales was over £1300. Although prices are starting to go down slightly, they are likely to remain high. Furthermore, electricity prices in Wales are 10% higher than those in England.
200,000 households have no access to the mains gas and for thousands, solid walls makes effective insulation difficult
Low income is a major component of fuel poverty and, despite rising economic prosperity, Wales remains amongst the poorest regions in Europe

NEA Cymru believes that people, many of whom are very vulnerable, should not have to face these impossible choices, which ultimately impact on people's health, personal well-being and dignity. This is why we campaign for affordable warmth for all.

Contact NEA Cymru

Nuria Zolle Director for NEA Cymru

Main responsibilities include: Strategy and public affairs, Welsh Fuel Poverty Forums, Welsh Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, National Fuel Poverty Conference

Jane Edgington Training and development officer

Main responsibilities include: Training, community development including projects, Welsh Language Scheme and Fuel Poverty Cymru Action Electronic Network

Helen Roach Development Officer

Main responsibilities include: Policy work, project development and research, campaigning, support for Welsh public bodies and voluntary sector representation

For addresses and telephone numbers go to the Contact Us page. Back to top