NEA’s Director of Policy and Research, Peter Smith, reflects on the latest Government announcements

the Environmental Audit Committee has published a report on how to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock.

NEA’s Response to the BEIS Consultation on Improving home energy performance through lenders. While NEA agrees with the need to move towards Green Mortgages, there are significant risks to fuel poor households that need to be fully understood. These can be mitigated by a generous exemption mechanism.

Cold, damp and unsafe homes continue to cause shocking levels of unnecessary hardship and premature mortality. Across the UK, NEA estimates that on average more than 10,000 people die each year due to living in a cold home[i]. In England Wales where the proposals within this consultation will apply, excess winter deaths have risen by nearly 20% last winter.

This winter will be difficult for thousands living in fuel poverty – which is why NEA has partnered with Utilita to provide £10,000 of funding as part of the Utilita Energy High Five Awards.

Responding to the devastating threat of climate change, Parliament has now declared a climate emergency and the UK Government has legislated to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This target can only be achieved with a major reduction in energy demand.

This guide is designed to be a practical and easy-to-use document that will help you identify the best solutions for householders in fuel poverty who are worried about keeping their homes warm and safe and paying their energy bills.

Following on from the June 2020 NEA policy paper “The Gathering Storm: Utility Debt and Covid-19”, this paper provides an evidence synthesis of personal debt, both prior and post the Covid-19 outbreak, with a focus on the shift from consumer debt, such as loans and credit cards, to household debts, such as arrears with utility providers, offering a comparison of known debt levels in energy, water and local government.

This newsletter is sponsored by the Public Health Agency through our Northern Exposure project. It will provide you with current programmes of work aimed at providing advice or support to householders as well as up to date fuel poverty policy information.