North East Domestic Energy North East Domestic Energy

ForumForum

Steve Kent, ChairSteve Kent, Chair

•AcknowledgeAcknowledge

•WelcomeWelcome

•CommitCommit

•No catchesNo catches

•Awareness of issueAwareness of issue

•Willing to helpWilling to help

What is fuelWhat is fuel poverty?poverty?• A household that needs to spend A household that needs to spend

more than 10% of its income on fuel more than 10% of its income on fuel in order to achieve adequate in order to achieve adequate temperatures.temperatures.

• Adequate temperatures – defined by Adequate temperatures – defined by World Health Organisation as 21World Health Organisation as 21ooC in C in living room and 18living room and 18ooC in other areasC in other areas

• Second definition under reviewSecond definition under review

What is fuelWhat is fuel poverty?poverty?

A complex issue –A complex issue –

• Energy inefficient housingEnergy inefficient housing• Insufficient heating equipment Insufficient heating equipment • Fuel costs Fuel costs • Low household income Low household income • Dwelling size in relation to the Dwelling size in relation to the

number of occupantsnumber of occupants

The UK Fuel Poverty The UK Fuel Poverty StrategyStrategy• Current estimates – 3 million Current estimates – 3 million

households across UKhouseholds across UK

• Targets –Targets –Eradication of fuel poverty in -Eradication of fuel poverty in -• Vulnerable households by 2010Vulnerable households by 2010• All households by 2016All households by 2016

Fuel Poverty in the North Fuel Poverty in the North EastEast• Fuel Poverty Indicator developed Fuel Poverty Indicator developed

by Centre for Sustainable Energy by Centre for Sustainable Energy and Bristol Universityand Bristol University

• 1991 Census and 1996 English 1991 Census and 1996 English House Condition Survey dataHouse Condition Survey data

• In 1996 – In 1996 – • UK – 22%UK – 22%• North East – 31%North East – 31%• Some wards – 40% +Some wards – 40% +

Fuel Poverty and HealthFuel Poverty and Health

• High instance of excess winter High instance of excess winter deathsdeaths

• Respiratory and circulatory Respiratory and circulatory problems exacerbated by the coldproblems exacerbated by the cold

• Cost to NHS - £1 billion a yearCost to NHS - £1 billion a year• Every 1Every 1ooC below winter average will C below winter average will

result in an extra 8,000 deathsresult in an extra 8,000 deaths

Actions for ChangeActions for Change

• Home energy efficiencyHome energy efficiency• Fuel costsFuel costs• Low household incomeLow household income• Dwelling sizeDwelling size• Information and adviceInformation and advice

Key Energy OrganisationsKey Energy Organisations

• Many organisations can helpMany organisations can help• Local AuthoritiesLocal Authorities• UtilitiesUtilities• EST Advice CentreEST Advice Centre• EAGAEAGA• EnergywatchEnergywatch• Voluntary groupsVoluntary groups• CharitiesCharities• An endless list …..An endless list …..

• Partnership working is keyPartnership working is key

AspirationsAspirations

• Target of 250 within 6 monthsTarget of 250 within 6 months• Early assistance will be required of Early assistance will be required of

LA’s to assist in promoting the LA’s to assist in promoting the declaration amongst their many declaration amongst their many existing partnerships existing partnerships

• Initial questionnaireInitial questionnaire

BenchmarksBenchmarks• Evaluate questionnairesEvaluate questionnaires• NEDEF working group to provide NEDEF working group to provide

feedback and pointersfeedback and pointers• Develop benchmarks for future Develop benchmarks for future

reviewreview• Strengths and weaknesses Strengths and weaknesses • Analysis of sector type sign up – Analysis of sector type sign up –

gaps in networkgaps in network

ProgressProgress

• Regular NEDEF working group Regular NEDEF working group meetingsmeetings

• Invitations to participate (not to be Invitations to participate (not to be part of)part of)

• Follow up questionnaire to evaluate Follow up questionnaire to evaluate progressprogress

• Signpost findingsSignpost findings

ReportingReporting

• NewsletterNewsletter• NEDEF web siteNEDEF web site• North East Domestic Energy Forum North East Domestic Energy Forum

Agenda Item Agenda Item