106
The EON Energy Fund Vanessa Northam – UK Vulnerable Customer Manager
The EON Energy Fund
Vanessa Northam – UK Vulnerable Customer Manager
The E.ON Energy Fund: for what and for who?
What can the energy fund
provide?
Clearance of energy bill
arrears
White goods i.e. fridges,
cookers
Replacement, or repairs to, gas boilers
Who can the energy fund
help?
Any customer of any energy
company
Qualifying eligibility criteria
2
There are three ways to apply:
3
The E.ON Energy Fund is independently managed by Charis
Grants Ltd.
Online:
• www.eonenergy.com/energyfund
• www.eonenergyfund.com
By Post:
• Call 03303 80 10 90 to request an application form
• Write to FREEPOST E.ON Energy Fund to request a form
By Phone:
• Call 03303 80 10 90 to go through an application over the phone
E.ON Energy Fund – Eligibility Matrix (Page 1)
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Pension Credit
• N/A • All pages of Pension /Pension Plus letter from
DWP outlining Pension Credit entitlement for
FY 6 April 2014 – 31 March 2015
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of the means tested Council Tax Reduction
• You (Or partner) over 62 • All pages of Council Tax Reduction letter for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Birth Certificate/Passport/Driving Licence (+ 62)
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Child Tax Credits (Or the Universal
Credit Equivalent) with a total gross
household income less than or equal to
£16,190
• Has parental responsibility for a child 18 years
or under and in full time education
• Disabled Child Premium as part of your
Benefit
• Child Tax Credit that includes a Disability or
Severe Disability Element or Universal Credit
(UC) equivalent
• All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit Award for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Wage slips for a 3-month period / employment
contract outlining salary / SE records / WTC
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
(Any premiums if relevant)
• Birth Certificate / Passport and Child Benefit
Letter / All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit
Award for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
(Child 18 and in FTE)
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Income Related Employment and
Support Allowance
• Pensioner Premium as part of your benefit
• Has parental responsibility for a child 18 years
or under and in full time education
• Disabled Child Premium as part of your
Benefit
• Child Tax Credit that includes a Disability or
Severe Disability Element or Universal Credit
(UC) equivalent
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
(Any premiums if relevant)
• Birth Certificate / Passport and Child Benefit
Letter / All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit
Award for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
(Child 18 and in FTE)
• All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit Award for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Working Tax Credits with a relevant
total gross household income of £16,190
or less
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance
Allowance (AA) or Personal Independence
Payment (PIP)
• Maternity Exemption (MATEX) or Medical
Exemption (MEDEX)
• All pages of HMRC Working Tax Credit Award
for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Wage slips for a 3-month period / employment
contract outlining salary / SE records / WTC
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
• All pages of Benefit letter from Disability and
Carers Service FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March
2016 stating entitlement
• MATEX or MEDEX certificates or cards
Criteria Qualifying Components Evidence
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Income Support
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• Pensioner Premium as part of your benefit
• Disability Premium as part of your benefit
• Disabled Child Premium as part of your
Benefit
• Child Tax Credit that includes a Disability or
Severe Disability Element or Universal Credit
(UC) equivalent
• Has parental responsibility for a child 18 years
or under and in full time education
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance
Allowance (AA) or Personal Independence
Payment (PIP)
• Maternity Exemption (MATEX) or Medical
Exemption (MEDEX)
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
(Any premiums if relevant)
• All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit Award for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Birth Certificate / Passport and Child Benefit
Letter / All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit
Award for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
(Child 18 and in FTE)
• All pages of Benefit letter from Disability and
Carers Service FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March
2016 stating entitlement
• MATEX or MEDEX certificates or cards
• Account Holder (Or Partner) are in receipt
of Universal Credit however are not in
work or self-employed
• Limited capability for work element (with or
without a work-related activity element)
• Disabled child element
• Has parental responsibility for a child 18 years
or under and in full time education
• Disabled Child Premium as part of your
Benefit
• Child Tax Credit that includes a Disability or
Severe Disability Element or Universal Credit
(UC) equivalent
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
(Any premiums if relevant)
• Birth Certificate / Passport and Child Benefit
Letter / All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit
Award for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
(Child 18 and in FTE)
• All pages of HMRC Child Tax Credit Award for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• Account Holder (Or Partner) have a
terminal illness
• In receipt of DS1500 or medical confirmation
from a consultant or GP
• DS1500 or medical confirmation from a
consultant or GP
• Account Holder (Or Partner) with a total
gross household income of £16,190 or
less
• N/A • Wage slips for a 3-month period / employment
contract outlining salary / SE records / WTC for
FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
• All pages of State Pension, Private Pension or
Annuities for FY 6 April 2015 – 31 March
2016
• All pages of Benefit letter from (DWP) FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016 stating entitlement
• Any other proof of household income for FY 6
April 2015 – 31 March 2016
E.ON Energy Fund – Eligibility Matrix (Page 2)
Criteria Qualifying Components Evidence
Some pre-submitted questions
1. How long will it take from submission of application to outcome?
2 - Are there any opportunities for organisations like charities to apply for funding to assist with the
application or provide debt advice (for example Plymouth and Thanet CAB are funded to provide
assistance with EDF Energy Trust Fund submissions)?
3 - How much money is in the fund and will this money continue to be provided to the fund over XX
amount of years?
4 - Why does the EON Energy Trust not assist with DRO or Bankruptcy fees like other trust funds?
5 - Why should someone apply to the EON Energy Trust rather than the British Gas Trust, which is
also for all customers but does not have a rigid eligibility criteria?
6 - Will a grant be paid instantly or would the customer have to pay for what they use for 3 months
(like the N Power Trust does)?
7 - Is the application going to continue to be via an electronic form? The only reason I ask is because
this needs to be completed in one go as there is no option to save. Is there going to be an option to
submit this via Charis Grants website, where you can save the application and come back to it?
8 - If people have further questions whose contact details should they use?
6
Questions continued
9. If someone meets the eligibility criteria (i.e the income and health criteria)
would they automatically get funding or is the eligibility only to filter down
those those who can apply, but there is a second stage reviewing the reasons
for the debt?
7
Liverpool Healthy Homes Programme
Neil Johnson & Ian Watson
Liverpool City Council’s, pioneering and award winning, Healthy
Homes Programme (HHP), was launched in 2009.
Commissioned and funded by Liverpool’s NHS PCT - Public Health
(transferred to the City Council in April 2013).
The Programme seeks to reduce health inequalities by improving
housing conditions and engaging with the most vulnerable residents
across Liverpool to offer health and wellbeing related services.
Advocates visit and attend GP surgeries across the city.
HHP operates as a central hub for referrals
Excess cold and its impact on the health of the occupants is one of
the major hazards identified through the HHSRS inspections.
Fuel debt, poverty and officers who also offer energy efficiency
support
Tackling fuel poverty is a key priority from our commissioners
One of the five identified Mayoral priorities.
Distribution of
rented housing
& health
deprivation
Key
Above 27%
23-27%
18-23%
Below 18%
(% all households fuel poor)
Fuel poverty rates
across Liverpool
Key
Above 27%
23-27%
18-23%
Below 18%
(% all households fuel poor)
Liverpool Life Expectancy
Riverside 74.9
Kirkdale 73.8
Speke Garston 74.0
Childwall 82. 7
Mossley Hill 81. 4
Woolton 80.7
West Derby 79.6
Knotty Ash 78.4
County 76.6
Anfield 74. 7
Everton 75.0
St Michaels 76.9
Old Swan 75. 5
Croxteth 75.3
Kensington 75.2
Cressington 79.0
Church 82. 6
Tuebrook 77. 3
Fazakerley 77.7
Belle Vale 77.2
Picton 72.9
Northern Line
South Line
North East Line
Central 78.6
Wavertree 80.8
East Line
South East Line
Housing - Cold homes
Liverpool
Excess winter deaths - 340 year 12/13 up 170 on 2011/12
For each winter death, there are 8 emergency admissions
In 2012/13
29 480 EWM
~ 700 per million pop
1
Death
63
Hospital Admissions
1043
A&E attendances
3456
Of population
45% of accidents occur in the home that’s almost 3M/a
Accident pyramid shows ratio between different types of
accidental injuries in Liverpool according to outcome.
Housing - Accidents
Liverpool
Accidents are the 6th highest cause
of death
Accidents in the home cause an
estimated 77 deaths per year in
Liverpool
Fall mortality up 500% 93-08; 100%
in England over same period
Common home hazards to March 2014
Health Promotion Working with landlords
Provide information about key contacts
Ensure annual checks of gas appliances
carried out. Assisting landlords gain access
using enforcement powers
Healthy Homes Property Standard
Contribute to ‘rogue landlords hit squad’
Housing and health campaigns
CO Awareness
Child Accident Safety
Falls prevention
Winter Survival
Emergency accommodation pilot
To reduce hospital admissions and delayed discharges associated
with sub standard housing
£1750 per
week
£192 per
week
Partnership with Dying to Keep Warm charity
Provide emergency heating for vulnerable residents
Install gas isolation valves
Provide microwaves removing dangerous cooking appliances
Provide and fit CO detectors through Fire Service
Healthy Homes Programme - objectives
Phase 1
Identify 25,000 properties in priority neighbourhoods
Assess the health and housing needs of each occupant
Engage residents into health and well-being related services
Carry out full health and safety inspection in worst 4,400
properties and secure necessary improvements
Through the removal of hazard exposure, the programme is
designed to reduce premature deaths by up to 100
when fully implemented, and reduce GP consultations
and hospital admissions by over 1000 cases
42, 100 initial assessments
22,116 surveys completed
26, 833 referrals to partners:
5,499 EHO housing conditions
1,206 for Benefits Max
1,360 for EE & Fuel Poverty
1,768 for Fuel Debt
Progress - April 2009 to March 2015
Progress – Housing conditions
5,842 Health & Safety inspections carried out
4,253 serious housing hazards identified
£5.3M Private sector investment
30 construction jobs supported (estimate)
2,672 referrals to social housing providers for repair issues
Evaluation (Ongoing, but..)
Reduction in health deprivation since 2007
25% reduction in excess winter deaths since 2007
(41% increase on 11/12)
Dental rates increased ‘…the highest NHS dental access rate
Liverpool PCT has had for over two years…. innovative ways of
improving dentistry access through the ‘Healthy Homes Dental Scheme’
NHS Operational Plan 2011/12
Year Excess WD
12/13 240
11/12 170
10/11 220
09/10 300
08/09 320
Liverpool took action against a landlord who had installed a heating
system which was too expensive to operate, contending that it was
unaffordable & unacceptable on grounds of health and safety
Initial court ruled that affordability of system not relevant to health
and safety
This was appealed by the Council, and the matter was raised in the
Houses of Parliament
Cold homes – changing legislation
A higher court
agreed that the
running costs of a
heating system are
a relevant factor
Value for Money?
BRE evaluation of first year’s operation shows: 861 HHSRS inspections removing 725 Cat1 hazards
Total project cost £1.07M (Inspection cost £300K)
On-going annual NHS savings £440K (£4.4M over 10 years) Excess cold hazard alone £341,000 (£3.41M over 10 years)
Wider Society annual savings £1.1M (£11M over 10 years) Excess cold hazard alone £852,000 (£8.52M over 10 years)
Total anticipated savings by HHP:
£55 Million (£42M from excess cold)
(Building Research Establishment Jan 2011)
Remember
it costs to do nothing!
Thank you for listening
&
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
Helping Your Clients Reduce Their Energy Bills
Jon Kilburn – Operations Director
High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
Agenda
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
•Who are Greenvision Energy?
•Our Clients?
•Quantum High-Heat Retention Storage Heater & Hot Water Cylinder
•Other Products & Services
•Case Studies
•Q&A
Who are Greenvision Energy?
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
•Green Deal Provider & specialist in electric heating.
•We supply & install our products & services to domestic customers, housing
associations, councils, hotels, universities, nursing homes
•We subscribe to the whole house approach to reduce energy consumption & fuel
poverty (NEA Technical Innovation Fund)
•We conduct energy audits to establish ways to improve SAP ratings and sustainable
tenancy
•We offer a one stop shop: Survey – Funding – Installation – Education
Who are Greenvision Energy?
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
We receive funding from Nottingham City Council (Nottingham Technology Grant)
We are accredited by CHAS, Constructionline, and have achieved the Green Award
through the Investors In the Environment (IIE)
We hold IOSH qualifications for Health & Safety Management
Corporate Clients
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
Quantum High Heat Retention Storage
Heater & Hot Water Cylinder
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
What is the Quantum High Heat Retention Storage Heater?
Why is it so efficient?
Quantum High-Heat Retention Storage
Heater & Hot Water Cylinder
The Benefits to Housing Provider
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
•BRE Approved & RECOGNISED BY SAP (this will improve your
SAP rating)
•A complete central heating solution for off gas properties
•Lower installation costs – a house can be completely installed within 1
day. Also, zero maintenance costs and 10 year guarantee
•Covers previous ‘fixing marks’ of most comparably sized traditional
storage heaters
•Low energy consumption panel heater (Q-Rad)
•Compatible with solar PV – Free electricity for tenant – Income for
Housing Provider (feed in tariff)
•Health benefits for tenants and long term tenancy
Quantum High-Heat Retention Storage
Heater & Hot Water Cylinder
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
•Up to 27% cheaper to run than a standard storage heater
•Fully controllable - each room can be set with different times and
temperatures to suit different lifestyles
•Easy to use controls & heat on demand
•Intelligent brain – learns heating patterns (Users Economy 7 & 10)
•Attractive, state-of-the-art design and compact (no deeper than a double
wet radiator)
•Quality heat – less condensation, more comfort, improved health benefits
•Free heating consultation & free electricity monitor
Tariff Switching and Customer Consolidation Packs
The Benefits for Your Tenants
Other Products & Services
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
Case Studies
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
Greenvision Case Study:
Boston Mayflower Spring 2015
How can we help?
Jon Kilburn
Operations Director
Tel 0115 854 7498
Free Fax 0808 280 0079
Mobile 07947 604 761
E-mail [email protected]
www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk www.greenvisionenergy.co.uk
REDRESSING THE BALANCE Redress 1 & Redress 2
Overview of Projects to be delivered by NEA & Warm Zones
April 2015 – June 2017
Fuel Poverty Forums June /July 2015
How are the programmes funded? Fines levied on failure to meet CESP targets
Redress 1: £20 Million
Redress 2 £6.2 Million
£26.2m fund
Commencing April 2015, 30 month programme Completion expected June – September 2017
Redress 1 – England, Wales & Scotland : £20m
Redress 2 – Targeted : Cheshire, Lincs & Essex: 6.2m • Funds will provide heating, energy efficiency measures, advice
and related support over 6000 householders
Over 80 % of funds will be for physical measures
Other measures – community engagement, training, building capacity & advice
Redressing the Balance
Funding targeted at vulnerable and low income households
No overlap with ECO or any other energy efficiency schemes administered by Ofgem
To benefit at least as many households as did not benefit from CESP schemes
To deliver innovation
To create no additional administrative burden for Ofgem
To have an independently endorsed evaluation methodology and dissemination of findings
Redressing the Balance: High Level Principles
1.Technical Innovation Fund - (TIF)
2.Warm and Healthy Homes Fund - (WHHF)
3.Warm Zones Fund - (WZF)
Redressing the Balance Three Distinct Funds
1.Technical Innovation Fund
To promote new solutions to fuel poverty utilising energy saving measures not traditionally in scope of current schemes
Redress 1 – 10 Areas, England & Wales; Launched 1 May 2015
Redress 2 - 7 LA areas: Launched 22 May 2015
2.Warm and Healthy Homes Fund
To establish new models of working with colleagues in health and social care sector
Redress 1 : England & Wales
Partnerships Programme 10 areas - Launched 1 June 2015
HIA/Small Measures Programme , 10 areas - To be launched….soon!
EAS: Warm and Healthy Homes Fund, Scotland
3.Warm Zones Fund – see www.warmzones.org.uk
Cost effective delivery of energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures and related advice to vulnerable householders
Redress 1:– England, Wales, Scotland: Launched 1 May 2015
Redress 2: – 7 LA Areas (Cheshire/Lincs/Essex): Launched 1 July 2015
Redressing the Balance Programmes of Work:
Technical Innovation Fund Round 1. Higher Cost Measures
Examples of measures:
Hybrid Heat Pumps, Park Home Insulation/vacuum insulation panels, controls using whole house zoning, District Heating (in house measures), CHP, domestic biomass…and open to suggestions!
Redress 1: - Technical Innovation Fund in England and Wales – closed 29 May 2015
10 locations in England and Wales
Average cost per home: £7, 400, approx £250,000 per area
As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver 34 homes per area. Total Homes assisted: 338 across 10 areas
Redress 2: - Technical Innovation Fund in 7 local authority areas Cheshire, Lincs, Essex – closes 26 June 2015
7 locations in England
Average cost: £6, 700 per home, approx £240,000 per area
As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver 36 homes per area. Total homes assisted 250 across 7 areas
Technical Innovation Fund Round 2. Lower Cost Measures Fund
Examples of measures: Heat Recovery Extractor Fans, electric storage devices, heat batteries, intelligent controls/thermostats, voltage power optimisation…and ? Redress 1 - Technical Innovation Fund in England and Wales – closed 29 May 2015 10 locations in England and Average cost £1,000 per home, approx £47,000 per area As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver 45 homes per
area. Total homes assisted 450 across 10 areas
Redress 2: - Technical Innovation Fund in 7 local authority areas – closed 26 June 2015 7 locations in England Average cost: £1000 per home, approx £69,000 per area As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver 69 homes per
area. Total Homes assisted: 480 across 7 areas
Technical Innovation Fund -Timeline
Redress 1: Technical Innovation Fund Call for EOIs 1 May
Closing date 29 May
149 EOIs received
Evaluation - 1 June - 18 June
Independent panel - 18 June
Will invite successful EOIs to submit a full proposal 22 June – 7 August
Evaluation 10 August – 28 August
Independent panel - 8 September
Contract negotiations – September
Planned project start - 5 October
Technical Innovation Fund -Timeline
Redress 2: Technical Innovation Fund– targeted areas Call for EOIs 22 May
Closing date 26 June
Evaluation - 29 June - 3 July
Independent panel - 6 July
Will invite successful EOIs to submit a full proposal 13 July – 14 August
Evaluation 17 August – 28 August
Independent panel - 8 September
Contract negotiations – September
Planned project start - 5 October
Redress 1 - £5m: England, Wales & Scotland
Warm and Healthy Homes - Partnerships Programme (E&W)
Warm and Healthy Homes – HIA/Small Measures Programme (E&W)
Warm and Healthy Homes – EAS programme (Scotland)
Purpose of programmes: To work with partnerships incorporating health sector partners to identify and fund new or existing projects to provide heating, insulation and other measures to vulnerable households at risk of cold-related illness/EWD
Warm and Healthy Homes Fund
Warm and Healthy Homes Fund Partnerships Programme
10 locations in England and Wales Average cost per home: £3,250/max £4000 As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver
measures to 1000 homes, 100 homes per area Approx £325,000 to be awarded per area Launched 1 June, closing date 26 June Evaluation - 29 June - 15 July Independent panel - 15 July Will invite successful EOIs to submit a full proposal 20 July – 4
September Evaluation 7 September – 25 September Independent panel - 30 September Contract negotiations – October Planned project start - 2 November
Warm and Healthy Homes Fund Smaller Measures Programme
10 locations in England and Wales
Average cost per home: £250
As a minimum (with no matched funding) the scheme will deliver measures to 1000 homes, 100 homes per area
Approx £25,000 to be awarded per area
Types of measures: TRVs ,programmers, room thermostats, HWJs, chimney balloons, draught proofing, etc.
Due to be launched soon!
Warm and Healthy Homes Fund Energy Action Scotland
Approx £310,000 funding for Scotland
Working with Health Partnerships across targeted areas
Being delivered through Energy Action Scotland
Higher cost measures -
Average cost per home: £3,250, approx 88 homes
Lower cost measures –
Average cost per home: £250, approx 95 homes
£13 million funding
Redress 1 - England /Wales/Scotland: £10m
Redress 2 – Targeted areas Cheshire, Lincs & Essex : £3m
Geographical coverage:
Redress 1: England (85%); Scotland (10%); Wales (5%) plus 10% (overall) in off gas areas
Tenure
Private sector minimum of 65% of measures
Remainder in social sector
Warm Zones Fund
Measures: Social Sector: Solid wall insulation, Loft and Cavity Wall
insulation Private Sector: Heating, SWI, CWI and LI All properties: Lowest 25% of LSOAs (as per CSCO 25) CSCO rural 25
Benefits and energy advice
Timescales 2 year programme Redress 1 started 1 May 2015 Redress 2 started 1 June 2015
Tenure and Eligibility
Key email addresses
www.nea.org.uk/redressing-the-balance
Further information
NORTH WEST
FUEL POVERTY FORUM Policy Update
Jimmy Pugh Project Coordinator
NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION
Agenda
• NEA’s Manifesto for Warmth
• General Election - Update
• Fuel Poverty Statistics
• Fuel Poverty Monitor
• NICE guidance
• Priority Service Register consultation
• Gas Distribution Network Reward Submission
• Fuel Poverty Strategy - Update
MANIFESTO FOR WARMTH
NEA Manifesto for Warmth
NEA published its Manifesto for Warmth on Friday 27th February as part of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
• The manifesto called on political parties to prioritise action on fuel poverty and to include firm commitments in their manifesto; in particular: An adequate and additional funding stream to radically improve the energy efficiency of 2 million low-income homes by 2020 and end the suffering caused by fuel poverty within 10 years
• NEA also asked the three parties – Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats – to detail what they would do to end fuel poverty
Video: youtube.com/nea.ukcharity
Manifesto: http://www.nea.org.uk/policy-and-research/publications/2015/manifesto-for-warm-homes
GENERAL ELECTION - UPDATE
General Election - Update
Updates
Since the last forum the following has happened:
1. Following extensive lobbying and campaign coalition work NEA helped to secure some key political commitments, detailed in our ‘manifesto video transcript’
2. NEA will now be working hard to ensure the Government departments understand they have a key role in helping to support, fund and deliver the new fuel poverty strategy
General Election - Update
Conservative Manifesto
The Conservative Party have committed to “keep your bills as low as possible…help you insulate your homes…meet our climate change commitments, cutting carbon emissions as cheaply as possible” also ensuring they will meet the coalition Government’s fuel poverty strategy.
https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto
• See Chapter 5, page 56
General Election - Update
Energy price policies include:
• ensure customers can switch energy suppliers within one day
• ensure every home has a smart meter by 2020
Energy efficiency policies include:
• support low-cost measures on energy efficiency
• bring energy efficiency measures to over 1,000,000 homes
General Election - Update
Low income policies include:
• ensuring the winter fuel allowance is not means tested
• raising the tax-free Personal Allowance to £12,500
• raise the minimum wage to over £8 per hour by the end of the decade
Related policies include:
• harness the energy of charities to deliver public services
Amber Rudd MP at our Lords reception June 2015
“Fuel Poverty is not acceptable...we must build on progress this parliament”
NEA will be working hard to ensure the new Secretary of State acts on this commitment
FUEL POVERTY STATISTICAL RELEASE
Fuel Poverty – Statistical Release
* Applies across England
Released 28th May 2015
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published a comprehensive review of statistical trends relating to fuel poverty in England for 2013
Info can be found: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/429873/Fuel_Poverty_Annual_Report_2015.pdf
Fuel Poverty – Statistical Release
* Applies across England
In 2013: • Number of households in fuel poverty in England was
estimated to be 2.35 million, a slight decrease than 2012 • Represents 10.4% of all English households • Aggregate fuel poverty gap reduced by 4% to £877
million • This means fuel poor households have to spend near £1
billion pounds more than non-fuel poor households • The fuel poverty gap on average decreased to £374
Fuel Poverty – Statistical Release
* Applies across England
Table showing fuel poverty over the last decade
Fuel Poverty – Statistical Release
* Applies across England
Table showing fuel poverty and SAP ratings
Fuel Poverty – Statistical Release
* Applies across England
For more information and statistics please visit the report.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/429873/Fuel_Poverty_Annual_Report_2015.pdf
FUEL POVERTY MONITOR
Fuel Poverty Monitor
* Applies across UK and GB
Annual investigation into fuel poverty and the policies in place to tackle it by NEA and EAS with collaboration from Citizens Advice
Summary Report: http://www.nea.org.uk/Resources/NEA/Publications/Fuel%20Poverty%20Monitor%20SUMMARY.pdf
Full Report: http://www.nea.org.uk/Resources/NEA/Publications/FPM_UPDATED_WEB.pdf
Fuel Poverty Monitor
* Applies across UK and GB
UK and GB Recommendations
1. UK Government must introduce an ambitious energy saving target and the UK Government should support a minimum binding 40% energy saving target across Europe by 2030 – Research suggests a 40% target by 2030 would boost UK GDP by
£62bn
2. The next Comprehensive Spending Review must include an aspirational, but minimum, target of 8-10% of UK infrastructure budget to be spent on programmes to reduce fuel poverty and make homes warmer and heathier
Fuel Poverty Monitor
* Applies across UK and GB
UK and GB Recommendations
3. UK Government must continue to monitor changes in demographic (using 10% definition) for fuel poor homes and work collaboratively across the nations
The report is free to download and more details can be found on NEA website www.nea.org.uk
NICE GUIDANCE
NICE Guidance • 5 March 2015 NICE published their guidance on Excess Winter
Deaths and Morbidity and the Health Risks Associated with Cold Homes
* Applies to England
The full document can be
downloaded https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6
NICE Guidance Overview
• Provides critical development to align the health and housing agendas
• Makes a number of recommendations on how to reduce the risk of death and ill health associated with living in a cold home
• Aims to meet public health goals and wider service goals including:
– Reducing preventable EWD
– Improve health and wellbeing among vulnerable groups
– Reduce pressure on health and social services
– Reduce fuel poverty
– Improve energy efficiency of homes
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendations
There were 12 recommendations covering a variety of areas and providing a variety of actions for:
• Health and Wellbeing Boards
• Local Authorities
• Primary and health care practitioners
• Utility companies
• Environmental health
• Distribution networks
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 1 – Develop a strategy
• NICE recommends that health and wellbeing boards should amend joint strategic needs assessments to include health consequences of living in a cold home.
• Further, health and wellbeing boards should develop strategies to address the health consequences of cold homes.
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 2 – Single point of contact for health and
housing referral system
• Health and wellbeing boards should commission a local single-point-of-contact health and housing referral service
• Any referral system must ensure face-to-face provision, free phone number for self referrals, monitoring and evaluation and coordination of services to ensure minimal disruption.
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 3 – Providing tailored solutions via the single-
point-of-contact
• The service should provide tailored services to people’s needs including checking benefit entitlements, registering PSR, short term crisis support, heating improvement etc.
Recommendation 4 - Identify people at risk of ill health from living in a cold home
• Primary health and home care practitioners should work collaboratively with local authorities and relevant parties to identify those living in cold homes.
• This should include sharing information
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 5 - Make every contact count by assessing the
heating needs of people who use primary health and home care services
Primary health and home care practitioners should:
• At least once a year, assess the heating needs of people who use their services and use this opportunity to identify people who are having difficulties heating their home. Those at risk, and their carers, should be given information about the risks of living in a cold home.
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 6 - Non-health and social care workers who
visit people at home should assess their heating needs
People who do not work in health and social care services but who visit people at home should:
• Refer anyone who needs help with the problems of living in a cold home to the local single-point-of-contact health and housing referral service
• Give people who may be vulnerable to the cold information on the effect that living in a cold home can have on their health and what can be done to remedy this.
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 7 - Discharge vulnerable people from health
or social care settings to a warm home
Those responsible for arranging and helping with discharges should:
• Assess whether the person is likely to be vulnerable to the cold and if action is needed to make their home warm enough for them to return to. This assessment is all year round.
• Refer the person to the local single-point-of-contact service where needed
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 8 - Train health and social care practitioners to
help people whose homes may be too cold
• Ensure training includes detail on the effect on health and wellbeing of living in a cold home, the local services available and how to refer
Recommendation 9 - Train housing professionals and faith and voluntary sector workers to help people
• Ensure those in contact with people who may be vulnerable are aware of the support available, the risk of cold home and how to refer
* Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 10 - Train heating engineers, meter installers
and those providing building insulation to help vulnerable people at home
• Those that are trained from this sector should be trained to deal with the issues sensitively, aware of the risks of cold homes and get accreditation for these skills
Recommendation 11 - Raise awareness among practitioners and the public about how to keep warm at home
• Those in the health sector should ensure information is up to date on cold homes, address misconceptions
about coldness and ensure up-to-date details on
national and local support * Applies to England
NICE Guidance Recommendation 12 - Ensure buildings meet ventilation and
other building and trading standards
Building control officers, housing officers, environmental health officers and trading standards officers should:
• Ensure changes to buildings are carried out at least to the standards required by building regulations
• Use existing powers to identify housing (particularly in the private rented sector) that may expose vulnerable residents to the cold.
• Ensure any relevant problems are addressed.
* Applies to England
PRIORITY SERVICE REGISTER CONSULTATION
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
Ofgem had consulted on the structure of the Priority Service Register between July and September 2014 On the 26th March they published an open letter providing and update on the review, setting out the next steps and seeking additional views on eligibility Full details can be found online at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/review-priority-services-register-decision-provide-update-and-next-steps
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
The Priority Service Register (PSR) requires energy suppliers and distribution network operators to provide non-financial services to eligible customers Currently eligible customers are: • Pensionable age • Disabled • Chronically sick
The current approach is ‘category’ based
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
Currently the non-financial services offered to these customers are: • Advice and information on supply interruptions • Password schemes • Fitting appliance controls and adaptors • Prepayment meter re-siting / replacement • Quarterly meter readings • Bill nominee schemes • Accessible formats for billing information and other
communications
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are the changes? Following the review Ofgem has decided that the category approach should be removed and replaced with a needs criteria • Anyone who has a need for a non-financial service, should now
receive one regardless of age or illness • Changes apply to all Energy Suppliers, Distribution Network
Operators and Gas Distribution Networks • Must now become more proactive in identifying those in
‘need’
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are the changes? • Current ‘core’ group will only be retained for safety services for
network companies • Prescribed services to be offered to ‘core’ group to protect the
most vulnerable • If a service need is identified, outside the current list, then
energy companies should implement this where practicable to do so
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are NEA’s comments? NEA are supportive of the move towards a more needs based model but there are some risks and areas of concern • Current customers in the ‘core’ group for PSR will have no
guarantee that they will stay on the PSR unless they show ‘need’
• Degree of supplier discretion is concerning as could view ‘need’ narrowly
• Degree of discretion may provide inconsistency across the sector
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are NEA’s comments? 1. To avoid confusion in the market Ofgem’s core group eligibility should be
widened to include all PSR services rather than just safety services and this applies to all providers such as energy companies and network operators and distributors
2. The ‘needs’ codes being developed for data-sharing should be non-restrictive and applied across all services
3. The ‘pro-active’ approach provides opportunity to better join up PSR eligibility with other energy efficiency programme eligibility including smart meter roll out
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are the outstanding responses? Ofgem also looked for additional responses about potential changes to the core group, which had to be provided by May. • Proposal to add families with children under 5 • Change pensionable age to ‘75 and over’ in line with TV licence • Add pregnant women
Priority Service Register Consultation
* Applies across GB
What are Ofgem’s next steps?
GAS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK REWARD SUBMISSION
Gas Distribution Network Reward Submission
Ofgem has also recently set out its requirement for the Gas GDNs Discretionary Reward Submission (DRS) under the RIIO GD1 framework
The Discretionary Reward Submission purpose is to encourage gas distribution network operators to undertake activities to address a range of social and environmental issues
GDNs that perform well could receive a reward above their current price controls. The maximum reward is £4 million a year which can be allocated across each GDN
* Applies across GB
Gas Distribution Network Reward Submission
• For the first time Ofgem is asking for a collaborative approach to the reward with all four GDN required to submit a joint submission as well as their own individual submission
• The categories for submitting initiatives are:
– Environmental
– Social
– CO safety outputs
• These developments could help support investment in energy efficiency and more collaborative working
* Applies across GB
FUEL POVERTY STRATEGY - UPDATE
Fuel Poverty Strategy - Update
Discussions on the Fuel Poverty Strategy were at the last forum, please revisit the presentation for the full details.
Highlights
• Government confirmed the target to ensure as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable reach an energy efficiency rating of Band C by 2030
• DECC will focus any future energy efficiency subsidy where it can have the most impact
• DECC will identify gaps in policy and design
* Applies to England
Fuel Poverty Strategy - Update
Updates
Since the last forum the following has happened:
1. £1 million of funding has been released to scale up local ‘Warmth on Prescription’ schemes
2. Central Heating Fund was released
3. £2 million is to be spent on local fuel poverty innovation
* Applies to England
NEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
‘OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE’ 14TH - 16TH SEPTEMBER 2015
SHEFFIELD CITY HALL
END
