While we understand that, at present, the key focus for the Department is to ensure that the Single Electricity Market (SEM) is maintained and fully operational after the implementation period. We also note that issues such as retail, consumer vulnerability and fuel poverty issues are an integral part of the Electricity Directive and Clean Energy Package as a whole and the translation of these issues have been paused and are to be considered under the new energy strategy.

On the 21st July, the Chancellor launched the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The Review, which will be published in the autumn, will be critical to help accelerate efforts to end cold homes during this parliament. Within this submission, NEA outlines its key priorities and vital opportunities to create warmer and healthier homes, help stimulate the economy, reduce poor air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

In 2012, NEA developed a scoping study with Ofgem to explore how well-placed network companies are to deliver social action cost-effectively and support the alleviation of fuel poverty. Throughout ED1 and GD1, NEA has worked with Ofgem and the network companies to embed many of the recommendations and cultivate several projects which support low income and vulnerable households.

NEA continues to support the agenda to eliminate the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050 and appreciates that carbon pricing is a significant policy lever to meet this target. However, as the Government is considering the future of carbon pricing as the UK leaves the European we believe that there is an opportunity to ensure that future carbon pricing leads to fairer outcomes for domestic energy consumers and critically supports other cost effective and sustainable way to address these issues.

This year’s UK Fuel Poverty Monitor (UKFPM) reviews the events that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they have impacted vulnerable energy consumers and the organisations that look to support them, cataloguing the response to this challenge from these organisations. It concludes with an investigation of the policies, strategies and other key actions that are urgently needed to address the impact of the pandemic this winter and beyond.

This short paper, outlines our key priorities for the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to create warmer and healthier homes, help stimulate the economy, reduce poor air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

NEA response to Ofgem’s self-disconnection and self-rationing final proposals

In response to the NAO’s report7 in 2018 on smart meters we highlighted our concern that the smart meter roll-out was significantly back-loaded.

This short briefing highlights the key commitments NEA Cymru would like to see reflected in the consultation and final strategy, to renew the Welsh Government’s commitment to end fuel poverty and rejuvenate efforts by a range of key stakeholders around this crucial cause.