NEA SOUTH WEST FUEL POVERTY FORUM Wednesday 21 st October 2015 Taunton Library Paul Street Taunton TA1 3XZ A G E N D A 10.30 am Registration and refreshments 11.00 am Welcome Ciaran Cronnelly Project Development Co-ordinator NEA 11.05 am Helping your clients reduce their energy Paul Campbell bills with high heat retention storage heaters Managing Director Greenvision Energy 11.45 pm CosyDevon Central Heating Fund Caroline Joseph Consultant AgilityEco Services Limited 12.30 pm Lunch Break and Networking 1.15 pm NEA Policy Update Ciaran Cronnelly Project Development Co-ordinator NEA 1.45 pm Energy Advice Project Aisha Sterling Energy Advisor Talking Money 2.15pm Open forum – South West Updates All 2.30pm Close
Transcript
NEA SOUTH WEST FUEL POVERTY FORUM
Wednesday 21st October 2015
Taunton Library Paul Street Taunton TA1 3XZ
A G E N D A
10.30 am Registration and refreshments
11.00 am Welcome Ciaran Cronnelly Project Development
Co-ordinator NEA
11.05 am Helping your clients reduce their energy Paul Campbell bills with high heat retention storage heaters Managing Director Greenvision Energy
11.45 pm CosyDevon Central Heating Fund Caroline Joseph Consultant
AgilityEco Services Limited
12.30 pm Lunch Break and Networking
1.15 pm NEA Policy Update Ciaran Cronnelly Project Development
Co-ordinator NEA
1.45 pm Energy Advice Project Aisha Sterling Energy Advisor Talking Money 2.15pm Open forum – South West Updates All
2.30pm Close
South West FUEL POVERTY FORUM
Policy Update
Ciaran Cronnelly NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION
Agenda
Main Policy Priorities 1. Reducing Energy Use 2. Action on Energy Costs 3. Raising Household Incomes 4. Other Developments
REDUCING ENERGY USE
Reducing Energy Use
Main policy focus of NEA is to maximise action on energy efficiency • Most suitable way to support low income homes • Other benefits include jobs, GDP growth, better air quality • Current investment is less than half of the £1.2-£1.8 billion per
annum needed until 2030 • Failure to accelerate investment will cost NHS £22 billion over 15
years due to cold related illness and over 125,000 excess winter deaths
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
• ECO continues to be the main energy efficiency programme • ECO will be extended until March 2017 • Reduction of CERO target by 30% which led to reduced delivery
particularly with solid wall insulation • Concern that the targets for the current phase of ECO will be
met in advance of 2017, potentially as early as Spring 2016
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
• DECC reviewing energy efficiency policy with view to making an
announcement in the Autumn statement • NEA has sought views from our supporters on current delivery,
future of ECO and possible structures of energy efficiency programmes
• This feedback then provided direction for our future policy priorities
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
Results (snapshot)….. Over 70 responses
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
Results (snapshot)….. 93% were not confident ECO has sufficient resources to deliver measures to FP homes
82% were not confident that ECO provides sufficient access for low income vulnerable households
89% agreed that the whole of the successor to ECO should be targeted at low income vulnerable households
72% agree a move away from single measures to a policy which provides a more quantifiable contribution
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
Results (snapshot)….. 89% agree the Government must work with obligated suppliers to provide guaranteed access to the most vulnerable
89% agreed that there should be a process to monitor capital contributions (are they cost effective and are delivery costs proportionate)
82% agreed ECO must be simpler, reduce unnecessary admin and transaction costs
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
NEA recommendations • Target the whole of the successor to ECO at low-income
households and deprived areas • Move away from single measures • Provide guaranteed access for the most vulnerable households
Future of ECO and complementary programmes
NEA recommendations • Ensure the scheme administrator monitors capital contributions • Reduce unnecessary admin and transaction costs • Secure complimentary non-departmental capital funds within
the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review • Introduce a Warmer Community Fund, expansion to the Central
Heating Fund, facilitate warmth on prescription schemes; provide 0% interest loans
An End to the Green Deal? • Secretary of State in July announced Government funding for
the Green Deal Finance Company would end • Unattractive and poor take up • Did not benefit low income households • GDFC no longer offering loans but will still complete existing
applications • No impact on existing plans
The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund
• Statement in July from Secretary of State announced no further
releases of the GDHIF
• Prior to closure NEA highlighted that the scheme was not effective in supporting low income households as the full costs of energy measures were not covered by the value of the voucher
Private Rented Sector Regulations
• April 2016 domestic landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a request by tenants for energy efficiency improvements
• April 2018 landlords will need to ensure their properties are at least an E EPC rating
• Should be no upfront cost to landlords • Fund only to the ‘golden rule’ level • Financial incentives do not exist such as the Landlord's Energy
Saving Allowance, GDHIF and Green Deal • Tenant will have to rely on ECO currently
Action for Off-Gas Households
• Depth of fuel poverty for off-gas households high
• Need for deliberate interventions and targeted funding for off-gas and rural
• Proposal for GDN to increase the number of Fuel Poverty Gas Network Extensions Scheme by 18% up until 2021
Action for Off-Gas Households • £25 million Central Heating
Fund introduced last year with bids totalling £60 million
• NEA campaigning for this fund to continue, year on year, until 2021
• Off-gas grid map launched at NEA conference
• The off-gas map can be accessed via www.nongasmap.org.uk.
• Over 2 million smart meters have already been installed • Most homes will have meters installed between 2015 and 2020 • No obligation for households to accept one and the smart meter
and IHD should always be provide without no upfront free • Improved access to more detailed information about energy use • Appropriate advice and support is available to those at risk
Smart Meter Rollout
To provide those consumers with protection the Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice (SMICOP) requires: • Meter installers to provide In-Home Displays demonstrations • Meter installers to provide energy efficiency advice • Provide supporting materials that take into account customer
vulnerability and special needs • Installation is a key moment to support, educate and engage
householders and NEA will continue to make the case for an additional help scheme to support vulnerable consumers during the roll out
ACTION ON ENERGY COSTS
Action on Energy Costs
• UK energy use has fallen by 12% since 2000 • Between 2004 – 2014 domestic electricity prices increased by
80% whilst gas doubled • Average proportion of household income spent on energy has
increased from 3.3% in 2004 to 5.1% in 2012 • Increase in cost of household energy bills has led to questions
about the market competition and consumer awareness of cheaper tariffs
Action on Energy Costs In July 2015 Competition and Markets Authority released its interim report highlighting: • Switching could save £160 a year*
• Switching rates have been in decline since 2008
• PPM customers pay 22% more than the cheapest direct debit tariff
• Number of households on PPM has doubled from 7% in 1996 to 14% in 2014
Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Providing rebates and discounts is one mechanism to reduce the cost of energy bills
• Rebates of £140 to vulnerable households not of pensionable age (not automatically applied to the account)
• Due to end in 2016
NEA and partners campaigning to the Government to: • extend current data sharing powers to allow low income
households to receive this automatically • Continue scheme until the end of this parliament • All suppliers should deliver core group assistance
RAISING HOUSEHOLDS INCOMES
Raising Household Incomes
• Across the UK there are currently 13 million low income individuals, who after housing costs, have incomes well below £16,000 per year
• Just under half are in employment but still struggle to meet
housing costs • Increasing income is essential to tackling fuel poverty and for
the foreseeable future income supplements such as Winter Fuel Payment need to continue
Winter Fuel Payment
• Non-means tested payment of between £100 and £300 available to all UK pensionable age households
• No requirement to spend on energy bills • Funded through general taxation • Costs £2 billion a year and only 10% of households who benefit
from this are in fuel poverty • It is vital that this supplement continues
The Cold Weather Payment
• Payment triggered by extended periods of exceptionally cold outdoor temperatures
• Means tested payment
• CWP permanently increased to £25 per qualifying period
• Anecdotal evidence suggests temperatures within urban and some rural settlement postcode are not always accurate and are colder than official readings
Benefit Entitlement Checks
• Receiving the right benefits can ‘passport’ claimants to other financial and practical support such as the Warm Home Discount
• 1 in 3 households eligible for pension credit are not claiming it
• NEA has called on the Department for Work and Pensions to fund a co-ordinated campaign for Benefit Entitlement Checks
• This activity can be funded by allocating a percentage of the total amount of unclaimed benefit
OTHER POLICIES AND DEVELOPMENTS
Other Policies and Developments
Over the last few months NEA has:
• Been interviewed by the Competition and Markets Authority and asked them: – explore implications of moving to single unit tariffs – create independent price comparison website – adapt plans for a backstop tariff into a fixed loyalty payment – Urge them to recommend the WHDS should be extend to all suppliers
• Written to all Health and Wellbeing Boards about the recommendations in the NICE guidance on excess winter deaths
Other Policies and Developments
Over the last few months NEA has:
• Asked DECC to publicly state that the PRS regulations will be adapted now that Green Deal has closed and removal of landlord exemptions and including HMOs
• Met with Peter Bonfield, DECC civil servants, MPs at all party conferences and Amber Rudd’s advisors to discuss NEA’s key asks
Other Policies and Developments
Over the last few months NEA has:
• Followed up Ofgem’s recent announcement to increase gas network connection targets to connect off-gas households
• Urged Ofgem to maintain their commitment: – to enhance protections for pre-payment meter customers – reduce payment differentials – ending charges for installing and removing PPMs – ending the use of security deposits
Main priorities • Ensure the next supplier obligation marks an ambitious
commitment to reduce fuel poverty across GB
• Secure non-departmental capital infrastructure funds and enhance enforcement of existing duties to trigger wider economic, social and environmental benefits through other national and local partners
• Continue and expand the Warm Home Discount Scheme
Power to Switch
Power to Switch
• Promote the Power to Switch Campaign • Partner Packs available:
– Switching images – TV Advert – Pre Ads – Case Studies – Selective Tweets
• Drop Box and Password
Big Energy Saving Week
• 26th October to 30th October • Campaign to cut fuel bills • Events on Citizens Advice website • Thunder Clap get involved! • www.thunderclap.it/projects/33128-big-
energy-saving-week?locale=en
Delivering innovative energy saving solutions
Central Heating Fund
Winter 2015-16NEA South West
Fuel Poverty Forum
21st October 2015
Presented by:
Caroline Joseph
Our business is diverse offering a wide range of business services
within the Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Arena
2
LOW CARBON
FINANCING
(including ECO)
OU
R S
ER
VIC
ES
Energy
Companies
OU
R C
LIE
NT
S
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
SUPPORT
ENERGY
CONSULTANCY
LOW CARBON
PROJECT DELIVERYSURVEYING
ECO
• ECO carbon
delivery
• ECO compliance
• ECO policy advice
Non ECO
• Solar and
communal heat
financing
• FIT/RHI
• Other bespoke
funding e.g. GDC
Local Authorities
Trade Bodies
Private Landlords
• Bid writing for
government funds
• Project structuring
• Contract
development
• Procurement
support
• Project oversight
and reporting
• Funder liaison and
financial control
• Bespoke energy
assignments:
- Smart metering
- Energy supplier
market entry
- EE optimisation
- Grid optimisation
• Research projects
- DECC Urbaneer
• Specialist
procurement
advice
• Feasibility, design
partner network
• Feasibility, design
and specification
• Carbon calculation
• Manage full end-
to-end project
delivery:
- Insulation
- Solar
- Communal Heat
- Lighting
• Extensive installer
and technician
partner network
• Accredited GDAO
• Run by RICS
/Chartered
Surveyor
• Surveying services:
- GDARs
- GD Finance
- EPCs
- Technical
monitoring
- Stock assessment
• +20k surveys p/a
Installers
Social Landlords Estate AgentsGovernment
Departments
M&E Specialists
Building Service
Companies
Page 3
We have built strong relationships with Local Authorities, Social
Landlords, Campaigning Groups, Trade Bodies, DECC and Ofgem
3
Such a wide public sector client base creates the space for great networking of ideas.
Our experience of what works enables us to add great value to our clients & partners.
Since our company was launched two and a half years ago
we’ve delivered impressive results for clients
Page 4
Partnership between Devon Councils and E.ON brings
the ECO scheme to householders across Devon
5
In June this year, CosyDevon, NEA and
AgilityEco made an application to
DECC for a share of the Central
Heating Fund
Our bid was successful and we were
awarded just over £1m – it’s due to
arrive any day now!
The money must be spent on
installing first time gas central heating
systems into around 400 homes of
eligible applicants
AgilityEco and NEA are delivery
partners with CosyDevon
DECC Central Heating Fund
6
To qualify for the scheme:
– House must be:
• in a Devon council area
• Not yet connected to mains gas (or recently connected)
• No complete central heating system already installed
o The applicant is eligible to reapply immediately
if there is a considerable change of
circumstances demonstrated.
o Repayment options are discussed with client
and we can negotiate for an affordable
payment on their behalf.
What happens if an applicant is successful?
o Energy Award – paid directly to company
concerned, applicant (or representative) is
notified.
o FAP – Cheque sent to applicant (or
representative), made out to company
providing the item/works/service or contact
client directly to deliver any appliance/goods.
o Successful applicants cannot reapply for 2
years.
Current Projects:
Energy Best Deal o One hour session providing frontline workers and energy consumers with tools to reduce
spending on energy
o Switching suppliers
o Reducing energy usage at home
o Additional support available for vulnerable clients
o At various locations around Bristol
Healthy Money o Financial capability advice and support for clients with physical or mental health issues
including addiction. o Maximising Income- help to identify and claim eligible benefits, apply for grant funding for
essential goods and increase household income o Managing Money- offer advice around household budgeting, compare products and
services, switch and save, manage debt and maintain tenancies o Tackling Fuel Poverty- provide energy efficiency advice and support, manage on-going fuel
costs and assist with energy trust applications for fuel debt o Using Computers & Getting Online- increase confidence using a computer and the internet,
learn how to use technology to boost finances
Additional Support:
Warm Homes Discount • £140 available to households on a low income
• Grant is payable between December 2015 and March 2016.
• Households in receipt of the guaranteed element of Pension credit should automatically receive
the Warm Homes Discount from participating suppliers.
• Other households may also be eligible, please check with the supplier either online or by phone for eligibility criteria.
• If eligible, the discount is available for both credit and prepayment customers.
Priority Service Register o Help available for vulnerable customers which will entitle them to:
o Free gas safety checks
o Advanced notification of supply disruption
o Access to relocate their meter for free
o Password protection when having your meter read
o The ability to nominate another person to deal with energy bills on a regular basis.
o Access to specialised customer service departments that work with vulnerable clients daily
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