Over the last year, NEA has worked alongside Citizens Advice on a number of issues in order to facilitate better outcomes for fuel poor and vulnerable households in the energy market.

NEA Northern Ireland has made some comments around the objectives in the draft Forward Work Programme and believe that the projects identified in the document are the right ones and have no queries regarding same. We have made some suggestions, which we hope are helpful on priority projects, which we feel may enhance the Forward Work Programme 2020–21.

Donec faucibus ut diam ac vehicula. In eu felis turpis. Fusce venenatis, ex sed porttitor pellentesque, ipsum metus interdum nisl, ac fermentum orci purus ac ex. Nunc lobortis nec est et vestibulum. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vivamus lobortis nulla ex, a scelerisque lectus consequat eget. Suspendisse fermentum eu justo ac auctor. Etiam lectus ipsum, pulvinar vel auctor sit amet, cursus eu ex. Proin maximus semper arcu, ut ornare magna dictum at.

Given the stated aim to target low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households; NEA believes it is paramount that beneficiaries of the scheme receive adequate consumer protections.

NEA has supported the Regulator’s work to protect more low income and vulnerable customers from unexpected price rises. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of gas distribution networks play a key role in tackling fuel poverty levels and we need to redouble our efforts to move as many households as possible who are reliant on home heating oil to cleaner, greener natural gas. This also provides low income households with a more flexible and affordable monthly or pay as you go option.