NEA Fuel Poverty

Policy update

East Midlands

Friday 14th July 2017

Nicky Swetnam

Project Development Co-ordinator

National Energy Action

Agenda

• Current hiatus due to General Election

• NEA priorities for an incoming UK Government

• Cross-party support for more ambition

• Findings and recs from NEA’s UK fuel poverty monitor

• Future changes to Priority Services Register

• Delivery of ECOt and what changes will be needed for

longer-term scheme

• Feedback on NEA priorities

• NEA update

Hiatus due to election

• Green paper on consumers

• The Government’s response to Industrial strategy

• The Clean Growth Plan

• Changes to the Levy Control Framework

• The National Infrastructure Commission’s interim

assessment

• ECO and Warm Home Discount consultations

• Changes to the PRS regulations

• Clarity on energy aspects of Brexit

NEA priorities for the incoming UK Government

Here you can watch NEA’s video: http://www.nea.org.uk/campaigns-policy/warm-homes-matter/ download NEA’s key recommendations to an incoming UK Government, produced in advance of GE and a summary of our key asks.

I. Target further action on energy prices alongside co-ordinated support to drive up low household incomes

II. Accelerate current commitments by making energy efficiency a key national priority

III. Urgently extend protections for vulnerable tenants and give landlords clarity on how they can invest in their properties to make them cheaper and easier to heat

IV. Extend and re-target current fuel poverty support and address gaps in provision

V. Investigate the impact of Brexit on energy consumers fully

VI. Work with the Devolved Nations

VII. Build on local good practice and replicate consistent outcomes in all our towns and cities

Strong cross-party support for greater action

If we can all help convert warm words into warm homes we

can end the cost and suffering of cold homes and also

capture major local and macro-economic benefits

Upcoming UK Fuel Poverty Monitor Report

NEA and Energy Action Scotland (EAS) have produced the

UK Fuel Poverty Monitor each year since 2003-04

This year’s report was released recently and has a special

focus on the impact living in cold, damp conditions has on

the most vulnerable members of our society

The strong association between cold homes and health has

been reviewed and we re-state the evidence by many

academics

NEA Key Findings

• Positive signs that LA’s will have a greater role in the

delivery of EE schemes through the ECO eligibility

flexibility mechanism

• Health eligibility also now part of NEST and Scottish

schemes

• Research found that schemes receiving any funding

from health bodies were in the minority – only 15%

receiving any funding

• Many LA’s are supporting energy suppliers to fulfil their

ECO obligations in GB nations by referring vulnerable

households with health conditions.

NEA Key Findings

• Encouragingly, a high number of schemes received

referrals directly from health professionals across the UK

• Direct linkages with health professionals are just as

strong in Scotland as in England, at 72% and 66%

respectively.

• The number of schemes working in rural areas is low in

England, with only 6% of schemes

Key themes

• Engaging or working with the health sector is still led by

key individuals

• Data sharing is common but is a postcode lottery

• Once eligible health workers expect households to be

assisted

• Many of the schemes are short-term or have short lead-

in times

• More work is required to raise awareness and gain trust

Recommendations and next steps……

To end ill health and death caused by the cold homes crisis

• A UK-wide recognition of the impact of cold homes on

health

• Improved transparency and local data

• A consistent health-warmth delivery framework across

the UK

• Resources must reflect the costs of not taking action

Priority Services Register Promise

(Plain English)

• The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free to join. It helps energy

companies* like us to look after customers who have extra

communication, access or safety needs. It helps us tailor our

services to support households who may need extra help.

• The PSR promise is made by all participating energy companies in

England, Wales and Scotland. We promise to only share details as

agreed with you, about your personal situation with our trusted

partners/parties** so they can tailor their services to help you.

• By sharing your details with trusted partners/parties, you’ll get extra

support when you need it. For example, some customers depending upon their circumstances may be given priority if there’s

a power cut. We will always follow privacy laws and your

PSR information will never be used for marketing.

Priority Services Register Promise

(Plain English)

• Once you’ve joined, you may be contacted to make sure your details

are accurate and up to date. This will make sure we can give you the

best support for your needs.

• If anything about your situation changes you can tell us and we will

update your details. If you don’t want to be on the PSR anymore, just

ask to be removed and we will do this for you.

Have you considered also registering with your water company who

may offer similar support services?

Your views on current delivery and future of

ECO

• For now ECO is still the only domestic energy efficiency

scheme operating in England.

• ECO transition running from April 2017 - Sept 2018

the longer-term scheme from Sept 2018 - April 2022

• Previous UK Government highlighted ECO will be

focused on helping households out of fuel poverty.

• This commitment is still to be honoured and details of the

longer-term future of ECO have yet to be set out or

consulted upon

• Consultation planned for early next year alongside

reforms to WHDS

Please ensure flex projects help households in

the most vulnerable situations

Income….

Tenure….

Health….

Communication….

Contributing Factors….

Multiple vulnerabilities….

Here to get your feedback on NEA

recommendations and near-term priorities

• Following up NEA priorities to UK Government

• Build on strong cross-party consensus and inform new intake of MPs

about opportunity for greater ambition

• Ensuring CSR expected in November fully reflects existing

commitments and addresses gaps in provision

• Disseminate key findings and recommendations of UKFPM to build

on health/housing good practice and push for UK summit

• Push for clarity on PRS and ensure coverage extends to HMOs

• Continue work on PSR and promoting new system and promise

• Continue to press for adequate enforcement of housing standards

and resources for LA’s activities under the Home Energy

Conservation Act (HECA)

• Continuing to help smart-rollout and engage through

BESN

NEA Update

NEA UK Conference

NEA’s annual conference will take place at

Nottingham Conference Centre from 11th –

13th September.

Sponsored by E.ON.

Early bird discounts and member discounts

are available on booking fees.

More information on the NEA website.

Bursary scheme to fund places for representatives from not-for-profit/public

sector organisations that would otherwise be unable to afford to attend.

Closing date for applications 30 June 2017.

For more information and to apply for the bursary visit

http://www.nea.org.uk/conferences-and-seminars/annual-conference-2017/

New structure at NEA

Better at Home

• NEA has partnered with Macmillan Cancer charity and Warm Zones to provide a programme of fuel poverty alleviation activity targeted at individuals suffering with or recovering from Cancer, or individuals at risk of suffering ill health from living in a cold home.

• The programme includes: – capital measures

– an emergency fund

– training and capacity building

– engagement activity at local level

• Running until August 2018

Engagement at local level

• NEA are looking for interested partners to consider a programme of health focussed activities at local level.

• The programme is looking to: – help coordinate action which furthers the aims of the NICE

guidance

– help develop or coordinate strategic action to tackle fuel poverty and the impact on an individuals health.

– provide capacity building activity to local networks – including raising awareness of available help and support, coordinating localised networks, support with limited low cost measures and provide training

– offer localised community engagement services to support or enhance exist service provision

• If you are interested in working with us on the

Better at Home project please speak to Nicky

Swetnam nicky.swetnam@nea.org.uk

New fuel poverty statistics for England

• The number of households in fuel poverty in England under the Low Income High Cost (LIHC) definition has not improved and has increased by over 100,000 households

• Fuel Poverty now affects around 2.50 million households,

representing approximately 11 % of all English households compared to 2.38 million households (or 10.6% of all households) in England in 2014. This too was a small increase from 2.35 million households in 2013, the level of fuel poverty prior to the fuel poverty strategy being passed in Parliament

• The fuel poverty gap – an estimation of the additional amount

that those in fuel poverty need to pay to heat their homes adequately compared to average households – has not shown any real progress either, and remains at around £884 million.

• The average fuel poverty gap – the additional amount one

average fuel poor household would need to spend – has decreased slightly and is now estimated for 2015 at £353 per year for low-income households living in the least efficient homes.

To read the statistics click here To read our statement click here

Change in fuel poverty by region since last stats

East -0.2 -15 -13 -37

East Midlands 2.7 50 7 -55

London -0.9 -13 -6 -3

North East 1.3 13 11 52

North West 0.8 18 -8 -40

South East 1.4 41 33 52

South West -0.6 -20 -20 -39

West Midlands 1.5 36 1 -42

Yorkshire and the Humber 0.4 13 -3 -25

Change in

average

fuel

poverty

gap (£)

Change in Fuel

poor %

Changes in Fuel

poor housholds

(000's)

Change in

aggregate

fuel

poverty

gap (£m)

Smart Energy GB in Communities

• NEA has partnered with Charities Aid Foundation and

Energy Action Scotland to launch the Smart Energy GB

in Communities programme for 2017

• Partnerships form an integral part of Smart Energy

GBs consumer campaign to reach harder to reach

groups.

• 2017 programme focusses on working with partners who work with/reach people who are ‘Over 65

without personal internet access’

Smart Energy GB in Communities

What support can we offer?

• Free accredited training. To register your interest contact communities@nea.org.uk or talk to the Forum Chair today and tell us:

– what region you are based in

– how you would use the training to reach our 2017 priority group

• Small grants programme is now live – applications open until 5pm Wed 19th July 2017 – visit www.cafonline.org.uk/smartenergygb

• Free resources available to download at www.smartenergygb.org/resources

• For regular updates on developments on the rollout or the programme year on year sign up to www.nea.org.uk/smartenergygb/e-newsletter

For more information please come and talk to us!

Thank You

Call us  0116 402 7958          Email us info@ellipseenergy.co.uk          Visit us www.ellipseenergy.co.uk

Energy Assessments  |  Solid Wall Insulation  |  Boiler & Central Heating Systems |  Solar PV  | Solar Hot Water | Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation | Park Home Insulation | Funding

Presented by Cuan Forrest, Managing Director

ECO Flexible Eligibility

What is ECO Flexible Eligibility

The Local Authority (LA) Flexible Eligibility scheme is a Government initiativewhich enables LAs to set their own criteria, for low income or fuel poorhouseholds, to access energy company grants towards insulation andheating improvements.

The pilot is worth up to £70m over 18 months. Suppliers obligated underECO are able to use up to 10% of their Affordable Warmth obligation forFlexible Eligibility on a voluntary basis.

Government intends to formally monitor and review the scheme during the 18 month extension to ECO, with the possibility of expanding it in future if it is successful. 

Objectives

There are two main categories of private tenure household thatGovernment intends to be eligible through flexible eligibility; to bettertarget households in the greatest need of energy efficiency measuresi.e. those living in, or who are at risk of fuel poverty, including:

• Fuel poor households (FP), especially those that are not in receipt of ECO eligible benefits, and the estimated 20% of fuel poor households that are not in receipt of any benefits

• Low income households that are vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home (LIVC) i.e. those with a health condition, or the very old/ very young. 

Key requirements

The aim is to allow this new approach to work in a straightforward way,with a main focus being on two key documents from LAs:

• Statement of Intent (SoI) ‐ from an LA (or group of LAs) that they aregoing to identify households as eligible, and the criteria they intend touse to target eligible households

• LA Declaration – this is a statement in writing which declares that ahousehold is eligible for support and that the LA has been consultedon the installation of measures in a home.

In‐fill properties

In addition, an LA can also declare households as eligible for Solid WallInsulation that do not meet the criteria for FP or LIVC, as long as theyare private households in the same terrace, in an immediately adjacentbuilding or in the same building as a household that meets the FP/LIVCcriteria. These properties are known as in‐fills.

Depending on the property type, a minimum percentage ofhouseholds in a SWI project must be declared as FP or LIVC by an LAto allow delivery to in‐fill. In‐fills are is only available for privatedomestic premises and does not include social housing.

Establishing relationships

Suppliers, installers and LAs are free to establish their own workingrelationships and processes with each other, as long as in doing so, noregulatory breach occurs.

Government encourages LAs and suppliers to establish robustpartnerships with a strong understanding of mutual roles andresponsibilities to ensure that a positive customer journey is providedfor fuel poor and vulnerable households – managing and meetingexpectations and delivery of intended measures.

Working togetherKey roles and responsibilities

Action Local Authority Appointed Contractor

SOI Production and publication of SoI.Help develop the criteria for identifying eligible households and assist with completion of the document.

Identifying properties

Energy officers and teams working with direct enquiries, referrals and housing stock data. Also encompassing properties previously missed in other schemes.

Internal and field based teams able to support LA teams identify eligible households via community/agency engagement. Help produce pre‐qualified lead and/or help pre‐qualify LA leads.

DeclarationProduction, authorisation and submitting declaration that the household meets the eligibility criteria.

Proactively consult with the LA on the installation of a measure.

Working togetherKey roles and responsibilities

Action Local Authority Appointed Contractor

Scheme deliveryOversee delivery and monitor agreed key performance indicators, targets and objectives.

Local contractor able to fully manage and deliver all assessments, installs and ECO funding applications/requirements. Has ECO funding contracts in place direct with obligated utility companies and can facilitate referrals for ringfencing of funds.

Ensure all measures are delivered and installed in‐line with ECO Order and PAS2030:2017.

Monitoring and reporting Evidence that project met criteria originally outline in SoI for evaluation use by BEIS.

Help compile evidence and evaluation information formally required to facilitate annual reports and review process.

Data Protection Act (DPA) Establish clear communication and comply fully with DPA 1998 and privacy notices. 

ICO registered and follows statutory code on data sharing; compliant with DPA 1998

Annual reports and keeping evidence

To support BEIS in determining overall achievements under LA flex,and to assist the evaluation of LA flex, annual reports will be required.

To ensure there is enough time for BEIS to consider feedback andpossible future amends to the scheme, all reports are requested to besubmitted by 30th April 2018 – 6 months before the end of thescheme.

Suggested report content:

• Number of households included on declarations* and number of households who receive LA flex measures* (*both broken down by FP, LIVC and in‐fill) 

• Evaluation on fuel poverty alleviation, health impacts, health cost savings • Other LAs who the LA worked with

• Eligibility criteria applied • Suppliers and installers who the LA worked with • Data sharing issues and/or other barriers

• Referral routes utilised • Tools, maps or data used to identify eligible households • Future plans on flexible eligibility

Timescales

Limited time left, only 15 months

Funding availability is allocated on a first come, first served basis

If scheme preparation and compilation/completion of all the necessarypaperwork requirements takes 3 months (end‐to‐end) this would onlyleave a 12 months delivery period.

We can help support LAs to develop and deliver schemes.

Agenda

WorkshopWorking in groups to identify the possible and perceived:• Advantages of flexible eligibility• Barriers to involvement• Overcoming barriers

Question and Answer (Q&A) sessionAn open forum following the workshop to discuss issues and outcomesraised.

Workshop

Working in groups to identify the possible and perceived:• Advantages of flexible eligibility• Barriers to involvement• Overcoming barriers

Q & A session

An open forum to discuss issues and outcomes raised.

Useful links and resources

BEIS ECO Flexible Eligibility:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy‐company‐obligation‐eco‐help‐to‐heat‐scheme‐flexible‐eligibility

Ofgem ECO guidance: 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental‐programmes/eco/contacts‐guidance‐and‐resources/eco‐guidance

NICE guidelines:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6/chapter/1‐ Recommendations. 

Guidance on Deemed Scores 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications‐and‐updates/response‐eco‐deemedscores‐consultation

Call us  0116 402 7958            Email us info@ellipseenergy.co.uk            Visit us www.ellipseenergy.co.uk

Contact me:Cuan Forrest, Managing DirectorDOCK, 75 Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NUcuan.forrest@ellipseenergy.co.uk

Any questions?

Energy Assessments  |  Solid Wall Insulation  |  Boiler & Central Heating Systems |  Solar PV  | Solar Hot Water | Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation | Park Home Insulation | Funding

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

Garry Swann – MiraLife CEOClinical Director for Advanced Practice GEHSenior ECIP Clinical Associate 

Well controlled LTCs

Poorly controlled LTCs

Health Deterioratio

n

Time

Sentinel events

Effect of Hospitalisation

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

Why MiraLife?• MiraLife’s primary purpose is to empower users to make sense of ‘changes’ in health or in their loved one’s health

• Intelligent and interactive system ‐ easy to use ‐ based on 5+ years experience of supporting Carers in Warwickshire; last 7 months in Northamptonshire and Corby  

• Identifies risk of deterioration related to illness, particularly infections 

• MiraLife provides advice on what to do if a ‘change’ is recognised and communicates any potential deterioration 

• Has significantly reduced reliance on hospitals and avoids the hazards associated with an admission in users

• Over a 5 year period we achieved a 90% reduction in the need for hospital admission within a cohort of 113 people with dementia when compared with similar cohorts 

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

INFECTIONS MONITORING

Work so far• Partnership ‐ MiraLife, Northamptonshire Carers, CCGs & East Midlands Ambulance Service Frail & Elderly Liaison Officers

• First phase Oct ‘15 – Mar ‘16 to  empower people to take control of their own health or the persons they look after by regularly monitoring for the risk of possible infection

• Simple monitoring of Breathing, Pulse, Urine & Temperature• Part of wider plan to create a social movement to establish a network of support for people at risk of infections, their paid/unpaid Carers 

• Second phase May ‘16 – April ‘17 targeting 400 patients who have been in hospital in the last 12 months due to UTI or URI

• Developing working links with Primary Care, Collaborative Care Team   and Care/Nursing Homes.

Summary of pilots

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

• 400 assessments per month ‐ month on month growth in usage and assessments performed

• 244 potential illnesses or infections detected using the NEWS risk stratification tool in 7 months

• All system alerts responded to within 10 minutes of activation  24/7 by Miralife

• 2 admissions in 7 months from cohort in Northamptonshire

• 330 participants trained ‐ 30% unpaid carers, 6% people with LTC’s, 64% professionals (approx.)

• Over 60 organisations and 270 professionals involved including care homes, domiciliary care, secondary care, social care, condition specific voluntary organisations and other stakeholders 

• Over 100 participants have volunteered to become Infections Monitoring Champions

• Seeds of scalable and self sustaining model to incorporate monitoring in to organisations working practices and individuals daily lives

What people thought in Nene & Corby pilot• “…this is a very valuable and potentially life changing scheme of which I am glad to be a part” (Unpaid Carer)

• “I hope you and your team get your rewards as its brilliant to be part of this and thank you” (Unpaid Carer)

• “…do not lose sight of what a brilliant project this is. I know I am right on this as I am in it and it is real. It will succeed.” (Unpaid Carer)

• “the presentation you all gave at the meeting yesterday was great, your enthusiasm and professionalism is infectious.” (Oakleaf Care)

• “We are really keen to start the pilot within our team and we found the training this morning so useful and we feel extremely passionate that this will be in Garys words a game changer!” (Olumpus Care, Specialist Dementia Service Manager)

• “Sadly my husband passed away while in hospital. My husband may have been able to spend a few more precious weeks at home had he not contracted hospital acquired pneumonia. He and I would definitely have benefitted had I done the training earlier.  Good luck with your excellent project.” (Ex‐Carer)

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

• Issues • Carers not seen as a significant part of the solution by the NHS• Self monitoring not seen as a priority by people with LTCs or carers• No social imperative or movement behind this approach• People not aware of sentinel nature of admissions & last 1000 days• Wedded to prevailing systems and ways of working that clearly don’t work• Normalised crisis working and secondary care dependence• Referral of patients who will benefit from monitoring by GPs and hospitals

• Solution – automated default by GPs and Acute Trusts• Realistic funding

• Multi‐agency support  

QUESTIONS

Not to copied or reproduced without permission 

Jem Maidment

Head of Marketing and Communications, Utilita Energy

Helping vulnerable customers

A little bit about Utilita…• Specialise in PAYG

• Britain’s fastest growing independent energy supplier

• First in the UK to install a smart meter

• Emergency and Friendly Credit

A little bit about Utilita…

• First company to challenge the Big Six

• July 2017 ‐ 542,000 customers

• July 2015 – 200,000 customers

• August 2016 ‐ 25% of customers who left British Gas came to Utilita

How do smart meters help?

• Support customers who may have difficulty paying

• Service vulnerable and fuel poor customers correctly and compassionately

• Helping customers at risk of self‐disconnection

• Dedicated in‐house care team

• No Standing Charge

The consumer problem• Identifying vulnerability 

• Credit where credit’s due

• StepChange

• Tailored credit service for each individual customer 

• Weekly reports to identify and support Priority Services Register (PSR) customers 

• Friendly Credit preventing self‐disconnection at peak times 

• Tailored energy efficiency advice 

Lending a helping hand 

• Mobile app • Text • Online • Any PayPoint outlet 

Topping up…

Our Responsibility• Obligation to treat customers fairly

• Seven customer care teams

• A system that works 

Thank you

NEA is a membership organisation whose members include local authorities, housing associations, health agencies, charities, community groups and contracted installers through energy provider schemes.

NEA relies on its members, both as a source of income and for support in achieving the charity’s aims and objectives.

We understand how important it is for organisations in the energy sector to keep up to date with the latest developments in fuel poverty and domestic energy efficiency. Membership of NEA enables organisations to work with a well‐established and effective campaigning body in fulfilling their social, economic, employment and environmental goals.

Current members are entitled to the following benefits:• Discount on training courses and conference fees• Free subscription NEA Focus magazine, published quarterly to keep members 

informed of NEA’s work and showcase members’ initiatives in combating fuel poverty.

• Monthly e‐newsletter which keeps members informed of policy and legislative changes and allows members to contribute to the fuel poverty debate.

• Access to NEA’s Research Team who can provide assistance in compiling excess winter death and estimated fuel poverty figures for local authority districts and wards.

• Invitations to NEA national and regional events including regional Fuel Poverty Forums and other seminars as they are organised; and an invitation to the annual members’ reception held in the House of Commons.

• Members first policy, NEA’s commitment that we will always seek to work with our members before other organisations.

NEA is constantly trying to improve the services we offer to our members and to ensure the benefits of the group meet those which our members need. NEA would like to canvas the thoughts and opinions of its current members and potential future members here today on the current services we provide for members and also the value of membership for your organisation. We have the following questions we would like you to discuss:

YOUR HONESTY IS APPRECIATED! 

1.  If you’re a member of NEA, does your membership represent good value for money? Why / Why not?

2.  What benefits would you like to see included within membership? Or even removed?

3.  If you are not currently a member, why is this? Is this a financial decision or because you feel you would not benefit from being a member? What would encourage you to join?

4.  If NEA was to reduce membership fees for say, public sector organisations, would this encourage you to join? If so what fee would you deem appropriate for the level of benefits outlined? 

For more information about becoming a member visit our website: http://www.nea.org.uk/the‐difference‐you‐can‐make/membership/

Or contact Brian Hart on brian.hart@nea.org.uk

THANK YOU!!!