Back

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator’s draft Corporate Strategy 2024-2029

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator’s draft Corporate Strategy 2024-2029

NEA NI undertook an NI-wide representative survey in September 2023. The findings of this study were stark, with the results showing that at least 40% of households were spending more than 10% of their total household income on their energy costs.  The study also found that soaring energy prices have led to a rise in dangerous ‘coping’ mechanisms, as households look to manage rising costs on ever tightening budgets. When asked about how they were changing their behaviours in response to rising energy costs, 80% of households admitted to rationing the use of their central heating in an effort to reduce costs.

To reiterate, energy prices underwent an unprecedented rise during 2021/22, and consumer bills remain challengingly high in 2023/24. NI continues to have amongst the lowest levels of household income across the UK and the highest weekly household expenditure on energy of any UK region. Taken in conjunction with the challenging economic conditions of rising inflation rates and the high cost of essentials, including food prices, many families continue to face challenges with meeting their energy costs.

We therefore call for mitigations to alleviate these issues and as such welcome the opportunity to support and respond to the Utility Regulator’s (UR) draft Corporate Strategy 2024-2029. The role of the UR has never been more important for households in NI, in particular vulnerable households.

Resources

NEA NI response to the UR's draft Corporate Strategy 2024-2029
Download the report

Related articles