NEA NI calls for the final Climate Action Plan to integrate efforts to reduce carbon emissions with measures to end fuel poverty.

NEA NI believes this draft Anti-Poverty Strategy is not fit for purpose, as it fails to outline the necessary steps to meaningfully address poverty in Northern Ireland.

Fuel poverty ought to be specifically mentioned in Section 7.6viii as an adverse impact of the Department’s constrained Capital allocation for Housing and Affordable Warmth.

Our response to this consultation is based around three key themes summarised in the document

We wish to stress again, that fuel poor households cannot end up being disproportionate sponsors of hitting the renewable electricity target. It is imperative that there is a fair distribution of the cost of decarbonisation with those on the lowest incomes protected.

NEA welcomes the proposals to enhance the consumer experience of smart meters, particularly the focus on post-install aftercare and remedy.

It is our view that increased socialisation of network reinforcement costs could risk vulnerable and low-income households being disadvantaged and placed at a greater risk of fuel poverty.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Consumer Council’s Draft 2024-2025 Forward Work Progamme. We work closely with the CCNI across many aspects of this work, but especially in relation to energy issues including consumer protection, empowering consumers, and policy development.

We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Department of Finance’s consultation on the overarching draft Budget 2025-26. Our recommendations are driven by the urgent need to end fuel poverty in Northern Ireland, affecting as many as 40% of households according to recent polling.