Annual Impact Report

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Annual Impact Report 2013 - 2014 Buckinghamshire County Council and partners celebrate winning a Community Action Award for their Big Heat project, along with NEA, British Gas and DECC Contents

4 Introduction

5 Headline Impacts

6 Chair’s Statement

7 President’s Statement

8 Chief Executive’s Statement

10 Impacts in England, Wales and

Northern Ireland

26 Warm Zones CIC

28 Financial review

30 Funders and supporters

31 NEA Advisory Group, Board of Trustees and current staff list INTRODUCTION NEA is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee and was incorporated in October National Energy Action (NEA) 1984. We have our head office in Newcastle with works across England, Wales representation across the nine English regions as and Northern Ireland to well as in Wales and Northern Ireland. ensure that everyone in the UK can afford to stay warm, comfortable and healthy in NEA also delivers practical measures to alleviate their home. fuel poverty and improve domestic energy efficiency through its wholly-owned subsidiary Warm Zones CIC, and works closely with its sister organisation, Energy Action Scotland. Our strategic aims are: • To influence and increase strategic action against fuel poverty • To develop and progress solutions to T o achieve these aims NEA: improve access to energy efficiency products, advice and related services in • Campaigns and influences UK households • Promotes the efficient use of energy • To enhance knowledge and understanding of energy efficiency and • Delivers innovative solutions fuel poverty • Trains and educates

• Delivers projects and supports infrastructure 4 HEADLINE IMPACTS

• Future legislative framework for fuel poverty • Evidence provided of good practice and reduction included in the Energy Act 2013 and key policy failure. principles of new fuel poverty strategy for England were debated by frontline agencies and their views • Following the Government review shared with DECC. of green levies, elements of the Energy Company Obligation retained, • Additional rebates or enhanced services for particularly those aimed at the fuel poor, vulnerable customers secured from energy and an extension of the scheme until suppliers. 2017. 26,612 10,000 2,852 634 5,477 householders stakeholders frontline advisors candidates Our subsidiary assisted with have improved and others gained the company, Warm insulation, knowledge of dealing with Level 3 Award Zones assessed heating, advice action they can vulnerable clients in Energy 5,477 households, and other energy take to help trained by NEA, Awareness installed energy saving measures their clients, providing advice 6281-01 saving measures customers or and increasing throughout in 3,890 either directly peers who are access to service England, households, by NEA or via living in fuel and support to Scotland, Wales and assisted energy champion poverty. marginalised and Northern more than 700 and community communities Ireland. households to engagement and vulnerable claim a total work. households. of more than £3.5m in welfare 5 benefits. Chair’s Statement Patrick Law

Overview of the year

NEA’s Board of Trustees has this year focused on maintaining the charity’s services through the continuing challenging financial climate. A development fund at the start of the year enabled us to build our capacity even where funding was uncertain and to develop new partnerships. This strategy was successful in growing our membership base and reaching a much wider range of stakeholders.

The charity remains in a healthy financial position having improved efficiency over the past year and I am confident we go into a new financial year in a good position to campaign hard and provide services to alleviate fuel poverty.

Future Plans The Board will continue to focus on bringing about meaningful change in policy and practice in the year ahead. However it will do so under new leadership. I have served NEA as a trustee for seven years and for the last of these in the role as Chair of the Board. It is right that I now stand down and I am delighted that Derek Lickorish, who has a long track record in the energy industry and who has chaired the Government’s Fuel Poverty Advisory Group for England, takes over as the new Chair from July 2014.

I am very grateful to all of the trustees who have given their advice and time to ensure the charity fulfils its mission with vigour and passion. There were a few changes in our make-up as Ruth Thompson stood down from the Board last July, but who subsequently joined our Advisory Group as a passionate ambassador for the charity, and we welcomed Alison Cole and Tessa Sayers in May 2013. 6 President’s Statement Charles Hendry MP

NEA has provided decision-makers in Parliament, the energy industry and in communities with the information and policy analysis needed to help them shape policies and programmes to improve the lives of people living in fuel poverty.

The political and media focus on the affordability of energy over the past year has increased the profile of our charity’s work and we have provided analysis and comment to inform the lively debate within corporations, the energy regulator’s offices and Parliament.

We will continue to use our voice on behalf of the most vulnerable energy consumers to shape future fuel poverty strategies and programmes.

We look forward to working with anyone interested in energy affordability at a local or national level.

I pay particular tribute to Jenny Saunders and the staff at NEA for their immense dedication which has made the charity the leading source of information on all issues relating to fuel poverty.

7 Chief Executive’s Statement Jenny Saunders OBE

Policy context

Over the year we have seen the roll-out of new policies which impact both positively and negatively on fuel poverty, and have witnessed the rolling back of some of these policies and programmes designed to reduce energy use in the home. With no publicly funded insulation and heating programme in England, NEA expressed deep concern when the Chancellor announced a major review of the Energy Company Obligation which had just been set up to provide around £1.3billion investment in energy saving measures across Britain. Whilst the main two elements designed specifically to address fuel poverty were not eventually reduced, the review created uncertainty and impacted on delivery partners and supply chain. A positive outcome from our campaigning was the extension of the scheme to 2017.

We have continued to call for additional resources with ECO set to assist just 7% of fuel poor households by 2015 and a remaining and increasing gap in fuel poverty of around £1.2 billion under the Government’s preferred new definition of fuel poverty that affected 4.5 million UK households during 2013. NEA worked positively to ensure that a future legislative framework for fuel poverty was brought forward and included in the Energy Act 2013. This will result in a new fuel poverty strategy for England from early 2015.

8 Key Activities progressive commitments to act on fuel poverty and support an ambitious new Fuel Poverty target As well as campaigning activities, the charity was and strategy. Additional resources will be dedicated focused on its aims of increasing knowledge and to help local communities engage in this important skills needed to tackle fuel poverty and developing area of public policy and help raise awareness with new solutions. We ran 210 training courses with their parliamentary candidates of what action is accredited qualifications or offering continuing needed locally. professional development to 2,867 frontline advice workers or volunteers. We plan to strengthen our strategic partnerships, and develop an extra help service for vulnerable We organised 78 events and contributed to a customers as the national roll-out of smart meters further 92 to help inform more than 10,000 gets underway. Easier access to NEA training stakeholders what actions and policies they can resources online and a wider suite of courses will pursue to alleviate fuel poverty. become available.

Community engagement has been a big focus of Warm Zones work for us – helping to develop an understanding of the opportunities and impacts of changes in Whilst this has been a challenging year for Government and energy companies’ policies and Warm Zones, we worked hard to ensure that programmes – so that more vulnerable people our holistic area-based service was maintained could access the support that is available. We also through the introduction of the new energy helped to shape the delivery of those programmes, supplier obligations (ECO), and the significant working with the mandated parties to design policy changes that were introduced after the projects to reach vulnerable groups. start of the programme.

Charity future plans Warm Zones assessed 5,477 households and installed energy saving measures in 3,890 In the run up to the General Election we shall of those, and over £3.5million benefits were campaign for all the main parties to adopt successfully claimed on behalf of eligible households. 9 NEA’s Impact in England

Influencing and UK Fuel Poverty Monitor which and persuade. 78 seminars and increasing strategic compared and contrasted the events were delivered directly differing approaches to tackling by NEA, including the Annual action against fuel fuel poverty in England and the Conferences in England, Wales poverty devolved nations. and Northern Ireland, our regional fuel poverty forums with sponsors Campaigning for change The campaign attracted significant including EDF Energy and NEA’s campaigning activities took media coverage and the support Southern Gas Networks, and a place at a time of heightened of over 40 different organisations. series of parliamentary events. interest in the fuel poverty Our media activity as a whole agenda. Against a backdrop of increased, with NEA’s views We contributed to a further energy price rises and the ensuing sought by journalists looking for 92 events organised by other political and media debate, our expert comment and advice on agencies resulting in over 10,000 key priority was to ensure that issues facing vulnerable energy stakeholders and decision-makers improving energy efficiency was consumers, and generating being better informed of our recognised as the main priority in around 200 million opportunities proposals for policies and actions tackling our cold homes crisis. to see and hear from print, online to alleviate fuel poverty. and broadcast media. Our annual Warm Homes Campaign incorporating Fuel Stimulating debate “This is one of the best Poverty Awareness Day ran conferences I have been to throughout the winter months, We continued to deliver a in a long while...excellent launching with a focus on the varied and extensive events exhibitors, very good programme for stakeholders and ‘Many Faces of Fuel Poverty’ and workshops,very useful concluding with the release of the decision-makers to inform, engage networking opportunities” 10 Annual Conference Delegate NEA also continued to administer the All Party Parliamentary Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency Group (FPEEG), briefing members during the passage of the Energy Act on the need to set a minimum energy efficiency standard for the homes of low-income households, and on changes to the Energy Company Obligation.

Securing commitment and action

Our activities helped to secure a new commitment to tackle fuel poverty beyond 2016 when the previous legal framework was due to end, with a proposed target linked to improved energy efficiency standards, fulfilling one of our key asks.

We also helped to ensure that the Warm Homes Discount was preserved and the elements of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) targeted at low-income households and communities preserved and extended for a further two years, providing much-needed clarity to a range of parties that there will be ongoing provision for fuel poor households after the General Election in 2015. Maria Wardrobe and Peter Smith from NEA accept the award for Fuel Poverty Campaigner We were delighted to have our efforts recognised of the Year at the Green Deal and ECO Awards, through being awarded ‘Fuel Poverty with comedian Rory Bremner and Dennis Campaigner of the Year’ at the Green Deal Spilsbury, Chair of Ocean Housing Group and ECO Awards 2014. (sponsor of the award) 11 Healthy homes, healthy people to the development of a national highlighted those who are already evidence base to address fuel delivering exemplary work to NEA continued to promote the poverty and excess winter deaths tackle fuel poverty, promoting their value of integrating fuel poverty as public outcomes. achievements to enable others to outcomes into public health learn from these. policies. Engaging with communities Our activities were supported by We gave evidence to the NICE At a local and community level, 154 standard and associate Public Health Advisory Committee NEA continued to develop, members and 44 business on Excess Winter Deaths and recognise and reward best supporters committed to the Morbidity focusing on the practice. Our Engaging aims and objectives of the charity initiatives being undertaken Communities work programme, and to take positive action on fuel by energy companies to assist also funded by DECC, stimulated poverty. vulnerable households, shaping the sustainable fuel poverty activity consultation which has now been in 10 communities across released. the country where there was a will to support households We also delivered a project, but insufficient resources to funded by the Department of make it happen, with activities Energy and Climate Change, including training, mentoring working with eight Health and and development of energy Wellbeing Boards in England champions resulting in almost to support the development 900 householders receiving and delivery of commitments to energy advice. address the wider detriments of ill health caused by cold homes, Our Heat Heroes Awards, improving elected members supported by ScottishPower, and public health professionals’ and our Community Action awareness of key policy and other Award Scheme, supported developments, and contributing by DECC and British Gas, Representatives from Groundwork South accept their Community Action Award for 12 the ‘Horsham Warmer Homes’ project Case Study From little acorns...prioritising fuel poverty in Wigan

Work undertaken with Wigan’s that the HWB, CCG and their partners developing a ‘Wigan for Warmth’ joint Public Health Team and their could priorities to support policy and investment project were accepted partner agencies to raise practice developments to address and thoroughly endorsed by all awareness of the broader fuel poverty, cold-related morbidity members. Added to this, a paper consequences of fuel poverty and mortality locally; and explore the was also presented to the Council’s and cold homes for communities evidence base for energy efficiency as Senior Management Team and the resulted in the development of a non-medical intervention that can CCG where strong support was key actions to help alleviate fuel deliver medical outcomes. secured for the development of this poverty and reduce the incidence proposal. In addition the Director of of cold-related morbidity and Key recommendations included Public Health will highlight this work mortality locally. ensuring housing is considered as to both delegates at the Public Health a key determinant for health and England Annual Conference and A report was prepared to help Wigan wellbeing, analysis of the scale of the Wider GM Leadership. Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) issue, integrated working, adequately and Clinical Commissioning Group resourcing holistic interventions, and (CCG) better understand the impact an audit of the cost in both health of fuel poverty on communities and and monetary terms of fuel poverty. identify the scale of the problem; highlight current and future As a result of this piece of work developments in the health and fuel very significant progress has been poverty field with a bearing on the made locally. Evidence from the achievement of warmer homes for report was presented to Wigan’s those at risk of cold-related morbidity Health and Well-being Board and mortality; consider key actions where recommendations including 13 Case study - Age Action Alliance Digital Research

With many public digital exclusion could contribute to services becoming limited and reduced access to the ‘digital by default’, NEA benefits of the energy market, and undertook a research reduced access to energy saving project to understand advice and information on available how the digitisation of energy efficiency and fuel poverty energy is contributing programmes – much of which can be to fuel poverty and/ found online. or vulnerability, and provide insights into The project concluded that the the challenges to increased digitisation of energy older people’s digital advice, information and services inclusion in the context can and does act to marginalise and of energy. exclude vulnerable groups, but with increased attention to the digital and The project, funded by energy-related support needs of older DECC with the support of people and more careful tailoring and the Age Action Alliance targeting of advice and information, involved over 200 older then a considerable proportion people from across of older people could be digitally England and more than included and encouraged to engage 50 organisations that with energy online. provide services or products to older people. The full report can be downloaded from www.nea.org.uk and findings It included looking will be used by DECC to inform future specifically at how policy formation. 14 Developing and are now able to offer Smart Meter of work on how Green Deal, ECO progressing solutions to training for both community and OFGEM regulations impact groups and installers. on the ability of Park Home improve access to energy owners to take advantage of efficiency products, NEA completed the second of a these national initiatives; and advice and fuel poverty- three-year European research with support from Banks Group related services in UK project ‘Semanco’, led by we surveyed homes close to a households Teesside University, funded by proposed wind farm development, the European Union, which is modelling improvements to the New technologies and developing IT tools and methods housing stock that could be innovative solutions to help planners and developers financed through the associated to reduce CO2 emissions in our community benefit fund. NEA continued its work to help neighbourhoods, cities and ensure that vulnerable and low- regions. income householders benefit from the roll-out of smart meters. We Our expertise in assessing organised a series of successful the suitability of new regional events entitled ‘Smarter products and services to help Communities’ supported by British the fuel poor was also utilised Gas, for community groups, local through a number of projects charities and other practitioners to this year. inform them about Smart Meters so they are able to help clients On behalf of National Grid access any benefits of smart Affordable Warmth Solutions metering. We also undertook we evaluated Ceramic Delegates get to grips with their research on behalf of Consumer Fuel Cell Combined Heat Smart Energy Futures which examined the and Power units installed Monitors, at feasibility of developing an extra in community facilities to NEA and British help unit to support vulnerable determine their applicability Gas Smarter customers through the smart in supported housing; we Communities meter programme. Our trainers undertook an extensive piece events 15 Working with the private Providing direct advice specific ‘hard to reach’ groups to rented sector and assistance to Coventry engage the support of leaders/ residents elders; recruiting, training and

NEA undertook a project with mentoring community energy Our long-running Home Energy champion volunteers; supporting npower to review and scope Advice Team (HEAT) project, a series of community events and opportunities to target the private supported by ScottishPower and rented sector in London. Detailed the ScottishPower Energy People administering a hardship fund for research via focus groups, data Trust continued to provide home the most vulnerable. gathering meetings and multi- energy advice visits, community Improving services for energy agency events assessed the energy surgeries and telephone customers characteristics of the private advice to residents in Coventry and surrounding areas. 400 rented sector across London and residents received advice over NEA’s participation in advisory the processes used to access and the telephone or at local events groups, joint-managed work with this housing tenure. and 100 residents programmes, and trust funds received home visits. established by the energy The project assisted industry (including SSE householders to reduce Customer Service Panel; Centrica energy expenditure by Corporate Responsibility Advisory applying for grants, Group; Electricity North West trusts and discounts to Stakeholder Panel; UKPower the value of £23,998. Network’s Critical Friends Group; Northern PowerGrid’s This year the HEAT Social Obligations Expert project was also Group; and ScottishPower and enhanced through British Gas Energy Trust Funds) additional funding helped to improve services to from two other energy customers and ensure initiatives - Keeping community scale activities are Coventry Warm and incorporated within strategic the Big Energy Saving business plans and that resources Network targeting three are directed to meet need. 16 Case study evaluating the Boundary Way Estate solid wall insulation project

NEA worked alongside Three Rivers District compared to only 59% prior to the improvements. Council, Watford Borough Council and These results contributed to the project wining the Watford Community Housing Trust to ‘Outstanding Commitment to Adapt to a Changing evaluate a project installing insulation to over Climate’ category in the Hertfordshire Building 100 homes on the Boundary Way estate in Futures Awards, and a Green Apple Gold Award. Watford. The measures were funded by DECC through ECO. Dr. David Strong, Building Futures Awards Head Judge commented: Our evaluation revealed the insulation improvements had a hugely positive impact on ‘The client should also be commended for the lives of those living in the estate, including a commissioning independent monitoring to reduction of those who were worried ‘a lot’ about determine which aspects of the refurbishment work rising energy bills, from 31% to only 5%, with well – it is hoped that the results will be widely everyone reporting that they now felt they could disseminated so that other housing associations heat their homes adequately post installation and RSLs can learn the key lessons’. 17 Case study Energy & equity in rural households

Historically, rural homes have concluded in 2013 and was been the forgotten face of fuel delivered by NEA in partnership poverty. Despite households with Calor, involved recruiting in rural areas being more than energy champions living in areas twice as likely to suffer from off the gas grid from a variety fuel poverty than their urban of agencies, providing them counterparts, previous initiatives with the training and mentoring aimed at addressing the heating needed to help fuel-poor clients. and insulation needs of low- income households have had The project was provided as limited impact. an example of good practice in the Government’s consultation The three main causes of fuel on a new fuel poverty strategy poverty – energy inefficient for England and was awarded housing, high energy prices a Business in the Community and low incomes – are all ‘Big Tick’ and nominated as one exacerbated by living in a rural of four finalists for the national area, with homes more likely to Rural Action Award. Over the be difficult or expensive to treat, year NEA built on the findings lacking access to mains gas, and from this work and presented householders facing additional these at party conference living costs. fringe events and a conference dedicated to addressing rural The FREE programme, which fuel poverty. 18 Enhancing knowledge and in March 2014. We ran bespoke neighbourhood champions who understanding of energy courses for Distribution Network in turn supported around 2500 efficiency and fuel poverty Operator staff, young carers, residents in the Yorkshire and deaf/hearing-impaired people, Humber region. and frontline health workers. On Delivering high quality training average course attendees suggest Our Networking for Warmth that they will pass advice on to project, supported by Western NEA continued to develop and seven householders per week. Power Distribution, trained 32 deliver a range of training courses residents who volunteered to be supporting structured professional NEA was also supported by the community energy champions in the development of individuals working Local Environment Action Fund to South West, East Midlands and West within the energy sector and work in 15 schools as part of the Midlands, who again supported over ensuring that those trained are Junior Carbon Cutters programme, 1000 individuals with energy advice. able to provide high-quality energy where children learned about new project supported Saudi advice to vulnerable and low- energy efficiency and renewable A by Aramco, Energy Hotshots, income households. energy through dr ama and art. recruited and trained 130 energy 694 advisors sat the Level 3 NEA/ champions in Birmingham, Leeds, Energising networks of energy Manchester and Newcastle who in City & Guilds Award in Energy champions turn shared their advice with over Awareness via classroom-based 5220 householders. or e-learning training provision and Two successful energy champion almost 1600 people attended one projects continued with increased of our 127 short courses on fuel activity and enhanced outcomes. poverty. Our VIVA project in Yorkshire and the Humber, which is funded Our fuel debt advice courses also by Comic Relief and empowers proved extremely popular with 464 older people to take actionto on advisors trained and 30 gaining a energy via community training new Level 2 Award in Fuel Debt and support for front line Advice in the Community which was worker and peer delivered in partnership with British group champions, Participants undertake training to enable them to Gas, and was officially launched supported 66 recognise and assist those in fuel poverty, as part of the Age Action Alliance programme, funded by British Gas. 19 Case study - Improving access to energy advice for those with additional needs Several of NEA’s initiatives this training with Deaf and Blind those in greatest need. Over the year sought to improve the societies in 2014-15. coming year we will seek to build provision of energy advice to on this by producing a set of those with additional needs to Our Access to Warmth project, recommendations on best practice ensure that they too are able to funded by E.ON, worked in in communicating with these access advice and assistance to partnership with practitioners householders. meet their fuel costs. from organisations representing disabled people to raise NEA also increased the advice For the first time NEA , with awareness amongst disability available to those for whom funding from DECC, developed organisations of the ECO, to English is not their first language and delivered a version of the generate Warm Home Discount through updating The Heat Level 1 City & Guilds ‘Introduction referrals and to test and develop is On - a resource funded by to Household Energy Efficiency’ communication methods and npower Health Through Warmth course with three deaf societies materials for disabled households. providing energy efficiency advice across the UK, tailoring the The project succeeded in gaining and information in 11 different course material to meet their access to disabled householders, languages. It is designed for needs and utilising the skills of many of whom were not able use directly by householders or a BSL interpreter. 22 candidates to proactively seek assistance in community settings and is undertook the training and NEA with energy efficiency or did not available in DVD format or can will be building on this respond to mainstream marketing of be downloaded from the NEA and delivering further schemes, despite being website. amongst

Some of our first hearing impaired candidates receive their Level 1 City & Guilds ‘Introduction to Household Energy Efficiency’ qualification 20 NEA’s Impact in Wales

Engaging with stakeholders making processes and provided with an avenue to share experiences and With the Welsh Government’s target best practice on rural fuel poverty and The NEA Cymru Conference 2014 to eradicate fuel poverty by 2018 the Green Deal and ECO. fast approaching, 110 delegates within the Welsh Government’s Rural from across Wales were aided to Effecting change Development Plan priorities for 2014- engage with senior policy and decision 20. Stakeholders have been supported makers at NEA Cymru’s annual The impact of our policy work in to affect the development of the Welsh fuel poverty conference entitled Wales was highlighted when a key Government’s approach to addressing ‘The Heat is On! Working together to recommendation in our 2014 UK fuel poverty in a much wider context tackle fuel poverty’, held in partnership Fuel Poverty Monitor, namely, that through their involvement in the with SWALEC. This remains the the Environment and Sustainability workshop. only platform in Wales whereby Committee should undertake an stakeholders can come together to inquiry into fuel poverty in Wales, was The consultation response will help discuss Wales-specific issues and subsequently announced following the inform fuel poverty policy development solutions to addressing the problem publication of the Monitor in March within the Welsh Government and in which affects 1 in 3 households in 2014. the longer term will help to increase Wales. action and improve outcomes for rural The Monitor was circulated widely to fuel poor communities. “I was inspired by the positivity of the stakeholders and Assembly Members event it was so upbeat and rather than in Wales and the analysis of the impact Addressing fuel poverty issues in doom and gloom about the economy of the Welsh fuel poverty schemes was the private rented sector and policy changes everyone was submitted as evidence. focused on solutions and just getting on NEA, along with its partners on the with things.” Tackling fuel poverty in rural Wales Fuel Poverty Coalition Cymru, NEA Cymru conference attendee Wales continued its campaign to reduce fuel poverty in the private rented sector through the stages of the Our fuel poverty forums also Following a stakeholder workshop Housing (Wales) Bill passing through ensured that over 150 Welsh chaired by Peter Davies, Sustainable Futures Commissioner for Wales, the Assembly as well as revising the stakeholders were empowered to help Coalition’s key calls to direct the fuel inform and influence policy decision- NEA Cymru ensured that rural fuel 21 poverty is considered and addressed poverty policy agenda in Wales. Case study - National Energy Action Cymru and SSE (SWALEC) help Welsh households struggling with fuel debt

With energy bills now At least 16,402 low-income and to navigate the vast range of unaffordable for 1 in 3 fuel poor clients will be assisted policies and processes more Welsh households and with practical support. easily. with increasing numbers of Additionally, over 130 customers people in Wales turning to in deprived areas were helped For example, one of those advice agencies and charities by NEA Cymru working in trained, a case worker from for help with their debt partnership with 12 other RNIB, was able to assist a client problems, advice workers organisations via community with sight loss to gain additional in Wales were provided events with practical one-to- benefits and the Warm Home with much needed support one advice on fuel debt, meter Discount. through NEA Cymru’s and problems, fuel switching advice, SSE’s fuel debt training and and the schemes available to mentoring project. help. Welsh households with 1 in 3 unaffordable energy bills As a result, 174 frontline 31 advisors were also further advisors and key community empowered with in-depth workers were provided with the training and specialised skills to help prevent clients affordable warmth advice to advisors have been aided to falling into debt with their energy assist vulnerable customers in 379 assist and support people supplier, and are now better Wales. equipped and have increased confidence in their ability to To date 379 advisors have been provide the most appropriate aided to assist and support advice to clients. people with their fuel bills and low-income & fuel poor 16,402 clients will be assisted 22 NEA’s Impact in Northern Ireland

Coordinating action on fuel with a workshop which honed following representation from poverty in on four priority action groups NEA and others the Warm which have been working since Homes Scheme has been NEA Northern Ireland continued February 2014 to scope and extended until March 2015 to to Chair the Fuel Poverty ascertain key actions for the fuel ensure the proposed new model Coalition which consists of over poverty coalition going forward. is fit for purpose. 160 organisations across the voluntary, community, statutory Policy impacts NEA was also successful in and private sectors. 2013-14 in securing funding Last year also witnessed the from the Oak Foundation to run We held our first conference biggest shake up of fuel poverty a campaign that will influence a ‘Running o progr the n Empty’ in amme delivery with new proposed Energy Efficiency November 2013 which brought launch of the Department for Obligation (EEO), establishing together over 100 members Social Developments ‘From Fuel a principle of social justice to and key stakeholders to assess Poverty to Achieving Affordable ensure directed current action on fuel poverty Warmth’ consultation which is that this EEO is and reinvigorate the Coalition set to replace the Warm Homes in the first instance to assist in its two primary aims namely Scheme which has been in households in fuel poverty. to get clarity from Government existence since 2001 and is on how and when fuel poverty mainly a self-referral scheme, to Measures installed through the will be eradicated, and how it an area-based approach which EEO mechanism will be mainly can best help Northern Ireland will use maps targeting greatest insulation and more efficient householders here and now. need in District Council areas. heating systems which will This paradigm shift was set to provide warmer, cheaper to We followed the conference take place in June 2014 but heat, homes for the fuel poor. 23 The campaign goal will be evening sessions for rural 01 qualification. to secure £70million over 10 communities reaching out to We worked with Power NI to years to reduce energy bills over 100 participants and played design energy efficiency training for vulnerable/low- income a key role in the Northern sessions which were delivered in households living in fuel poverty. Ireland Housing Executive’s five regions throughout Northern This will entail establishing Rural Energy Seminar, delivering Ireland for the Power NI Quest a progressive social and a session on energy efficiency programme. environmental Energy Efficiency and behaviour change. We Obligation which will be at least delivered three energy Working with the Public Health 80% targeted at the fuel poor, awareness courses and Agency in the Northern Board providing access to energy examined 21 candidates who Area we trained over 20 efficiency measures for at least all achieved the NEA City & individuals in energy efficiency 50,000 low-income households. Guilds energy awareness 6281- and communications skills.

Delivering training excellence

Our training and development programmes continue to provide the bedrock of energy efficiency advice and information throughout all sectors in Northern Ireland, ensuring that participants are informed on how to take action to combat fuel poverty.

We delivered two bespoke Former Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Dr Eddie Rooney Chief Executive Public Health Agency and Paul Wallace NEA with students Theresa McVeigh, Bernie McGlade, Annette Conlon and Connor McCleave receiving their NEA/City and 24 Guilds Energy Awareness 6281-01 certificates. January 2014 Case study - Northern Exposure

Our successful Northern made 90 referrals for benefit Councillor and a local residents Exposure project continued to entitlement checks (with one association coordinating a door- be delivered across Belfast with household receiving an annual to-door approach that informed funding from the Public Health increase in income of over £5,000); residents about the benefits of Agency. provided direct energy efficiency energy efficiency. advice to 90 households, delivered It provided advice and information 10 energy awareness sessions to This intensive yet direct to help ensure that vulnerable frontline health professionals and intervention enabled us to have households were able to access the community sector and attended face-to-face access to over 100 grants to reduce their energy bills. 15 community information days. households where we maximized access to energy efficiency grants The project generated NEA also carried out extensive work and made referrals on their behalf. almost 200 referrals in a particular for insulation and area of high We also established a hub which full central heating deprivation enabled us to provide a direct systems to grant in Belfast in referral mechanism for one-to-one schemes; conjunction debt and benefit maximisation with a advice. Belfast City

[L-R] Paul Wallace (NEA); Dolores McComb (member of Whiterock & Westrock Residents Association); Cllr Steven Corr; Lucy Cochrane (NEA); and Al McComb (member of Whiterock & Westrock Residents Association) 25 Warm Zones CIC

This has been a challenging households where the ECO In addition, the company’s year for Warm Zones and for programme did not fully fund income maximisation service the energy efficiency industry the necessary measures. In total assisted more than 700 as a whole, particularly those during the year, Warm Zones households to claim a total companies, like Warm Zones, assessed 5,477 households and of more than £3.5m welfare which attempt to deliver installed energy saving measures benefits. a high quality, customer- in 3,890 of those. focused service to all eligible low-income households.

The company has worked hard to ensure our holistic area- based service was maintained through the introduction of the new energy supplier obligations (ECO), and the significant policy changes that were introduced after the start of the programme.

By utilising a combination of additional funding including the npower Health Through Warmth scheme and our own resources, Warm Zones was able to provide assistance to a number of vulnerable low-income Warm Zones’ Michelle Rodgers with client Mr Baldwin, who had a new boiler installed free of charge 26 Case study – Warm Zones impact in the community Many of those helped by (with a one-off arrears payment of The old boiler in his home was Warm Zones would not have £1,316). inefficient, the controls had broken received assistance without the and it kept breaking down, leaving additional resources which the The successful benefit claim meant Mr B without heating for periods of company can call on. that Mr T was now eligible for ECO, time. however, the funding available For many the cost of the required from the obligation was not enough This was directly contributing to his work is above the level provided to cover the cost of the new boiler. poor health and hospital visits. by the current ECO programme or they fall just outside the eligibility However, using ECO-funding Mr B was not eligible for ECO criteria despite being in need. together with contributions from funding for a new boiler, however, the Warm Zones vulnerable Warm Zones arranged for a new Mr T from North Tyneside is blind household fund and npower boiler to be installed with funding in one eye and also suffers from Health Through Warmth, the cost contributions secured from arthritis. He had to make do on of the boiler and other heating Gateshead NHS, Warm Zones a low income and needed a new improvements could be covered. internal funding, and the npower boiler – his old one was not able Health Through Warmth Crisis to either effectively or affordably Mr T now enjoys a warm home, Fund. heat his home which exacerbated free from the worries about paying his arthritis and caused him much his heating bill. anxiety. Mr B of Gateshead, aged 68, has The Warm Zone benefits advisor arthritis and respiratory problems, helped him to claim Council resulting in poor mobility and Tax Benefit, Pension Credit and breathing difficulties. Prior to Attendance Allowance at the contacting Warm Zones he had higher rate, equating to an annual recently been admitted to hospital increase in income of £6,209 twice.

27 Financial review - Year ended 31 March 2014

Income £’000s 15% Grants 22% Public Sector 680 Other 292 General Income 20% Subscriptions 199 Sponsorship 992 Self-Generated Income 35% Conference Fees 57 8% Courses & Publications 555 Research & Consultancy 163 Fees Other Public Sector Grants 20% Investment Income 97 Miscellaneous 255 Other Grants 8% Voluntary income 155 (donations) General Income 35% Total Income £3,445 Self-generated Income 22% Other 15% 28 Expenditure £’000s 1% Costs of Generating 4 20% Voluntary Income Costs of Charitable Activities:- Increase Strategic Action 1,487 Against Fuel Poverty Develop and Progress Solutions 673 44% 35% to Improve Access to Energy Efficiency Products, Advice and Fuel Poverty Related Services in UK Households Enhance Knowledge & Under- 1,180 standing of Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty

Increase Strategic Action Against Fuel Poverty 44% Governance Costs 43 Develop and Progress Solutions to Improve Access Increase in Unrestricted Funds 43 to Energy Efficiency Products, Advice and Fuel Increase in Restricted Funds 15 Poverty Related Services in UK Households 20% Enhance Knowledge & Understanding of Energy Total Expenditure & £3,445 Efficiency & Fuel Poverty 35% Governance Costs & Cost of Generating Voluntary Increase in Funds Income 1%

These accounts are an abridged version of the charity’s full accounts. The full version has been audited and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following approval by the NEA Membership. 29 Thereafter, a complete copy can be obtained on application to NEA’s Company Secretary. Funders & Supporters 2013-14

Aragon Housing European Union FP7 Premier Energy Solutions Watford LA Ballymoney Borough Council Fernox Redcar and Cleveland Welsh Government Banks Group firmus energy Borough Council West Coast Energy Ltd Barclays Bank (Green Gen Community Retro Expo Western Power Distribution Rewards) Green Energy UK Rotherham MBC Wilmott Dixon Bradford Metropolitan Green European Free Alliance RWE npower Wind Ventures Ltd Borough Council Greening Wingrove Saint Gobain Yorkshire Energy Services Bristol Debt Advice Centre H and A Mechanical Services Saudi Aramco Zenith Home British Gas Ltd ScottishPower Energy People Bryson Energy Help-Link UK Limited Trust Bury Council Huddersfield Council ScottishPower Energy Retail Calor Gas Ltd InstaFoam and Fibre Limited Ltd NEA thanks all Carillion Energy Services Isos Housing Sefton Metropolitan Borough organisations that Limited Isothane Ltd Council remained committed Carmarthenshire Council Linthwaite Ltd trading as Gti SERS Limited Centrica Mark Group Sheffield City Council members of NEA during Change Agents Mitsubishi Electric Heating SIG Energy Management Ltd 2013-14 and members Comic Relief Systems Southern Gas Networks of the general public Community Foundation Tyne National Grid Affordable Spirotech UK Ltd who have made private & Wear and Northumberland Warmth Solutions SSE PLC donations to the charity. Consumer Futures NI Housing Executive SSE Power Distribution Conwy County Borough NI Public Health Agency The Atlantic Philanthropies NEA also gratefully Council NIBE Energy Systems Limited The Chopping Company acknowledges everyone Coventry City Council North Tyneside Council The Energy Savers Ltd/ who continues to Department of Energy and Northern Gas Networks Airtight Solutions Ltd support us by using our Climate Change Northern Power Grid t[i]c Green Energy training and consultancy E S Pipelines Ofgem Low Carbon Network The Green Group in the E.ON UK Fund European Parliament services, and for Ebico Ltd All-Party Parliamentary Fuel Track Training providing equipment, Ebico Trust Poverty & Energy Efficiency UK Power Networks material, resources, EDF Energy Group University of Ulster student placements, Electricity North West Peabody Trust Utilita Group secondees and advice. Engenera Power Power NI Warmer Energy Services Ltd 30 National Energy Action’s Board of trustees, advisory group and current staffing structure

Advisory Group City of Newcastle (until 23 July 2014) Rebecca Jones Ben Sayah Carole Pitkeathley, Trustee Project Development Co-ordinator Campaigns Co-ordinator (Honorary Positions Only - Not Tessa Sayers, Trustee Ian Hutchinson Helen Stockton Directors of the Company or Officers of Claudia Webbe, Trustee (until 23 July Training and Assessment Officer Senior Research and Policy Officer the Charity) 2014) Stephen O’Brien Training and Assessment Officer Directorate of Support Services: President NEA staff list Jimmy Pugh Charles Hendry MP Project Development Co-ordinator David Hall Chief Executive’s Office: Bethany Redley Commercial Accountant Vice Presidents: Project Development Co-ordinator Louise Snaith David Green OBE Jenny Saunders OBE Saleem Sheikh Finance Manager Baroness Hilton of Eggardon Chief Executive Project Development Co-ordinator Kevin Bell Baroness Maddock of Christchurch Audra Peacock Nicky Swetnam Finance Assistant Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan Deputy Chief Executive and Programme Project Development Co-ordinator Donna Collington David Porter OBE Director Lesley Tudor-Snodin Business Support Officer Lord Shipley of Gosforth OBE Tracey Archer Project Development Co-ordinator Karen Crawford Ruth Thompson OBE PA to the Chief Executive/Business Anwar Ul Haq Business Support Officer Support Manager/Company Secretary Training and Assessment Officer Tracy Norris Members of the NEA Board of Trustees Business Support Officer (Directors of National Energy Action) Directorate of Development and Directorate of External Affairs: Fiona Robson Delivery: Finance Assistant Chair: Maria Wardrobe Lynsey Thompson Patrick Law, Director of Corporate Affairs, Peter Sumby Director of External Affairs Training Co-ordinator Barratt Developments plc (to 23 July Director of Development and Delivery Peter Smith 2014) Michael Hamer External Affairs Manager Northern Ireland: Derek Lickorish MBE (Board member Technical Projects Manager Jacqui Sirs from 14 May 2014, Chair from 23 July Danni Crosland Business and Partnerships Manager Patricia Austin 2014) Project Development Manager Sarah Wright Director (NEA Northern Ireland) Lorraine Donaldson Communications Manager Paul Wallace Honorary Treasurer: Project Development Manager Juliette Burroughs Development Manager Jim Kirby, Trustee Malcolm Dove Policy, Research and Parliamentary Lucy Cochrane Project Development Manager Officer Project Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover) Members: Chris Ellis Jen Carruthers Jones Angela Gracey Beryl Balls, Trustee, NEA Training and Assessment Manager Business and Partnerships Officer Project Co-ordinator (Maternity Leave) Alison Cole, Trustee Colin Dunn Nina Dunlavy Stephanie Ward David Crothers, Chair, NEA Northern Assistant Training & Assessment Manger Communications Officer Business Support Assistant Ireland Advisory Group (Northern Ireland) Judy Best Brian Hart Claire Durkin, Trustee (from 14 May 2014) Project Development Co-ordinator External Affairs Officer Wales: Richard Fraser, Chairman, Warm Zones Diane Bland Heather Haynes cic (until 23 July 2014) Project Development Co-ordinator Business and Partnerships Officer Carole Morgan-Jones Stephen Hodgson, Trustee, NEA Paul Cartwright Claire Henderson Director (NEA Cymru) Peter Holt, Trustee (until 23 July 2014) Project Development Co-ordinator Communications Officer Helen Roach Wyn Jones OBE, Trustee Ciaran Cronnelly Nicola Jeavons Development Officer Norman Kerr, Director, Energy Action Project Development Co-ordinator Business and Partnerships Officer Ben Saltmarsh Scotland Alan Jones David Lynch Training and Project Officer 31 Eugene Milne, Director of Public Health, Training and Education Officer Senior Research and Policy Officer NEA is an independent charity. Registration No. 290511. Company Limited by guarantee. Registered in England No.1853927. Registered office NEA, Level Six (Elswick), West One, Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PA. Tel: (0191) 261 5677 Fax: (0191) 261 6496. www.nea.org.uk [email protected]. A large print version of this publication is available on request.