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.

Despite positive attempts to end fuel poverty in Wales, the statutory targets that were in place to eradicate the scourge of cold homes were missed and fuel poverty continues to be a devastating problem. Here, we respond to the Welsh Government’s new plans to tackle fuel poverty in Wales between now and 2035.

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.

NEA has today welcomed Ofgem’s decision to ensure all energy suppliers across Great Britain provide more support for customers struggling in debt, identify pre-payment customers who run out of credit and offer appropriate forms of advice and support.

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.

Friday 27 November will mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2020 and we have never needed your support more to get key messages out to vulnerable people this winter.

NEA work with a range of clients, including local authorities, housing associations, network operators and manufacturers to understand how technology and innovation within the energy sector can help improve the lives of those living in fuel poverty.

The Welsh Government has published a consultation on plans to tackle fuel poverty in Wales. NEA Cymru welcomes the opportunity to make sure this is the strongest possible response to the misery of cold homes in Wales.