COMMUNITY ACTION
PARTNERSHIP
Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction to NEA
Fuel poverty
The Community Action Partnership
Workshop Introduction
Session 1
Session 2
Next steps
Introduction to NEA
• National fuel poverty charity aims to
eradicate fuel poverty and
campaigns for greater investment in
energy efficiency to help those who
are poor and vulnerable
• Established for over 30 years
• Works with central and regional government; public sector
agencies; private sector energy companies; third
sector organisations
• Main functions: campaigning, research and technical
expertise, training, project development and delivery
What is Fuel Poverty?
In England, the definition of fuel poverty is based on a Low
Income High Costs (LIHC) framework.
A household is said to be in fuel poverty if they have required
fuel costs that are above average (the national median level)
and were they to spend that amount they would be left with
a residual income below the official poverty line.
Put simply…..
“The inability to afford to adequately heat the home”
B.Boardman, Oxford University
The Scale of Fuel Poverty
2.4 million households in England are in fuel poverty
(10.9% of households)*
Q2 2013: 1.6 million
domestic electricity
accounts (5.8%) and
1.5 million domestic
gas accounts (6.5%)
were in debt#
* Source - Sub-Regional Fuel Poverty Levels, England 2011 : DECC
# Source - Domestic Suppliers' Social Obligations Report Quarters 1 (Jan to Mar and 2 (April to June) 2013: Ofgem
Q2 2013: average
levels of electricity
and gas debt
outstanding were
£316 and £341
respectively. Up 4%
and 9% from the
end of 2012#
Community Action Partnership
British Gas and NEA are working with Barking & Dagenham
Council and its partners to bring affordable energy to residents
through practical activities and evaluate the impact on improving
lives and the prosperity of the community.
Workshop Agenda
2:45pm
Workshop Introduction
Rebecca Jones, NEA
3:00pm
Workshop Session 1
What is needed to tackle fuel poverty? All
[Themed discussion groups]
3:45pm
Refreshment Break
4:00pm
Workshop Session 2
Influencing and engaging key
stakeholders
[Discussion group continuation]
All
4:45pm
Summary & Next Steps
Rebecca Jones, NEA
5:00pm
Close
Workshop Aims
To discuss the needs of the local community in tackling fuel
poverty in order to understand how the Community Action
Partnership can work closely with local organisations to enhance
current services and promote sustainable practice.
To enable local stakeholders to have input into the development
of a new fuel poverty strategy for Barking & Dagenham.
Session 1
Q: What is needed to tackle fuel poverty?
Themes
• Reducing fuel poverty in the Private Rented Sector
• Building bigger and stronger networks
• Raising Awareness / Targeting
• Support for Communities of Interest
• Strategy and policy
Session 1
Affordable Warmth
Barriers
20 mins
Identify the
barriers to
affordable
warmth
Solutions
25 mins
Consider the
possible solutions
Session 2
Influencing and engaging key stakeholders
Session 2
Theme
Key Aim
Objectives
Potential Partners
What you want to achieve as
an overall goal
Steps to achieving each aim
Agencies that might be
involved in project
development or delivery
Next Steps
NEA will;
• collate all of the information in today’s
templates into a draft fuel poverty strategy
• liaise with Barking & Dagenham Council and
its key partners to finalise the fuel poverty
strategy
• consult with Barking & Dagenham Council
and British Gas to identify activities to be
supported through the Community Action
Partnership
Thank you
Have a safe journey home