Between Monday 27 and Wednesday 29 January, our annual conference brought over 350 delegates together. There, we discussed how we can support the 6.1 million UK households unable to afford sky-high energy bills. The event was held in Camp and Furnace in Liverpool.
Our annual conference consisted of panel sessions and breakout sessions, with 36 speakers. At our exhibition, delegates networked with over 20 exhibitors, to create partnerships that would direct help households who most need the support.
Exhibition opening
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp CBE welcomed delegates to the city. They heard his passion about ending health inequalities in his ward.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp CBE with Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action
The Minister
On Tuesday, our keynote speaker was Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Minister for Energy Consumers. She shared the government’s plans to enable cheaper energy bills through the upcoming Warm Homes Plan.
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP with National Energy Action’s Chief Executive, Adam Scorer
Then, our Director of Policy Peter Smith was joined by Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Chair, Committee on Fuel Poverty, Dhara Vyas at Energy UK and Jessica Skilbeck, at the for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The session investigated the links between fuel poverty and the UK Government’s wider missions of making Britain a clean energy superpower, kickstarting economic growth and building an NHS fit for the future.
Breakout sessions – bridging the gap
Delegates then had a choice of breakout sessions at our annual conference to discuss key priority areas.
Breakout A covered explored how we find the right households for priority assistance. Our Head of Programmes Nicky Swetnam was joined by panel of Ben Pledger from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Kate Roberts at Switchee and Matt James from at Smart DCC.
Delegates attending Breakout B heard about striving to improve the energy efficiency of rented accommodation. It covered the promised introduction of tighter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for all rented accommodation. Thank you to our Policy Analyst Maya Fitchett for chairing and excellent panel consisting of Parissa Z., at Generation Rent UK, Matthew Scott at Chartered Institute for Housing and Miles Lewis at Clarion Housing Group.
Our Project Development Manager Molly Chambers chaired Breakout C. It covered the heightened challenges that vulnerable people face navigating the complexities of crisis support and access to essential advice. Molly was joined by Dave Farquharson at Lightning Reach, Emma Lewins at Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) and Lee Healey at IncomeMax.
Insights and impacts
Our final session of the day shared powerful real-life testimony from clients and compelling case studies of good practice. This session explores the benefits of insight-driven approaches. Our Insights and Impact Manager, Dr Jamie-Leigh Rosenburgh (née Ruse) chaired the session alongside Alessio Villanacci at Sirio Strategies, Ranjit Blythe at Cadent Foundation, Will Johnstone at Citizens Advice and Dominic Griffiths at Energy Projects Plus.
Final day
On Wednesday, we heard from Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region who spoke about the work taking place in our host city of Liverpool to tackle fuel poverty.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region delivers Liverpool In Focus presentation
David Colbourne at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also spoke at our annual conference about work going on in the region to tackle fuel poverty.
We then looked at current barriers to retrofit delivery and how initiatives to co-ordinate activity at national and local levels are helping to overcome those barriers. As well as, how we make sure that there is meaningful engagement with communities and householders throughout the process. The session was chaired by Colin Timmins, our Director of Homes. Colin was joined by Alastair Mumford from MCS Foundation, Ellie R. from Carbon Co-op and David Farmer from The University of Salford.
The final session at our annual conference focused on tackling health inequalities. Danielle Butler, our Project Development Manager for Development and Partnerships, chaired the session alongside Fiona Miller MBA CMgr FCMI from Beat the Cold, Joe Farrington-Douglas from Health Equals, Bill Purvis, Fuel Poverty Consultant, and Lucy Malcolm, from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.
We know the solutions to fuel poverty and our sessions focused on themes of fuel poverty strategies, data insight, retrofit and health interventions.
Recognising contribution to fighting fuel poverty
We were pleased to recognise four outstanding individuals who have been working tirelessly to tackle fuel poverty in their local area.
Emma Brooks, Senior Partnership Manager at The National Energy Foundation received the Unsung hero award for her vital work in making over 6,000 homes warmer. Her nominator said that Emma ‘leaves a lasting legacy of warmth, health, and happiness in every home she touches.’
Our Reaching out: Engagement of diverse groups award went to Liv Gatford, Reach and Additional Support Manager at the Trust Alliance Group. She’s helped raise awareness, inform, engage and support better outcomes for consumers. Liv’s key relationships include our own team at National Energy Action, Muslim Council of Britain, Leicester Public Health, Warm Wales, Energy Action Scotland, Wirral Cultural Organisations, ACCI (midlands) and Riverside Housing.
Our Going the extra mile: Showing excellence in customer care award went to Jen Smedley, Project Lead – Energy at Citizens Advice Diss and Thetford. We were told that beyond her positive outlook, Jen is meticulous in her work. She takes the time to carefully review each client’s situation, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Her dedication to finding practical solutions is matched by her willingness to go above and beyond.
Our final award was for Saving lives: Positive impacts on health. The award went to one of our fantastic speakers at the conference, Fiona Miller, Chief Executive at Beat the Cold. Her guidance, support and tenacity are key to delivering vital health projects across Staffordshire. The person who nominated Fiona said, ‘She is truly the most skilled and inspirational person that I have ever worked with.’
Congratulations to all our award winners – we’re pleased to recognise the incredible efforts you’re making to tackle fuel poverty.
We appreciate your support
We extend our thanks to Octopus Energy, who provided 10 places allocated to organisations that may not have otherwise been able to attend. It’s so important to have as many voices here as possible.
Thank you once again to our sponsor Evouchers for making the event possible.
