- National Energy Action celebrates 45th birthday by lighting up the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
- Charity’s annual fuel poverty conference held this week in the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead
Charity National Energy Action’s Annual Fuel Poverty Conference marks 45 years of fighting fuel poverty by lighting up the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (see video link below).
National Energy Action’s Annual Conference is taking place this week (9-11 February) in the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead. Sponsored by Northern Gas Networks, Northern Powergrid, OVO and Evouchers, the conference brings together delegates to discuss the impact of fuel poverty on the most vulnerable and the policy and practical solutions that will make a difference to their lives.
Energy bills have been extraordinarily high for the last four years, and the conference is an opportunity to bring together stakeholders from across the energy, health and charity sectors. The programme shines a light on how advice organisations, energy companies, local authorities and governments can work together to help millions of people – including 6 million children – who struggle to stay warm and well at home.
Delegates have already heard from speakers such as the Mayor of Gateshead Freda Geddes and Committee on Fuel Poverty Chair Caroline Flint and will hear from Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey and other key figures.
National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer says, ‘The Durham University students who founded Neighbourhood Energy Action back in 1981 probably didn’t imagine the charity would still be around in 2026. They likely hoped fuel poverty wouldn’t continue to be a problem a quarter of the way through the 21st Century. Energy bills are stubbornly high and millions of UK households are stuck in fuel poverty, struggling to afford the cost of heating their homes. The impact on their health and wellbeing is catastrophic.
‘Our Annual Conference is a chance for stakeholders to come together from across the sector to discuss, listen and learn about the amazing work that’s being done to help those in fuel poverty and to work closely together to find meaningful ways to help people stay warm and healthy in their homes.
Scott Morrison, Strategic Development and Partnerships Lead at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, said: ‘Fuel poverty is something that affects thousands of people across the North East, including many households here in Gateshead. Local charity National Energy Action does vital work to help those in fuel poverty and this week their Annual Conference and Exhibition takes place at The Glasshouse. We’ve been an official Warm Welcome Space for several years. Anyone in need of a safe and warm place to visit can come to The Glasshouse and enjoy a tea or coffee on us.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
- National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk.
- Photos: Tom Jackson, Tynesight Media
- Video: Antony Woolmer https://next.frame.io/share/af35759f-86df-41d5-a645-26b4db55dd1d/view/5ce2907c-8477-4ccf-94be-5f1fe998df10
If this goes online, please link to https://www.nea.org.uk/energy-crisis/. We are on Twitter/X: @NEA_UKCharity and Bluesky: @nea.org.uk.
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