- As winter ends, National Energy Action’s¹ Warm Homes, Healthy Futures helps households across the country to stay warm and healthy at home
- National Energy Action polling of programme clients finds that 50% found they no longer turned their heating down, or off, all the time due to worries over cost
- The tightening of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) announced this week
- The programme partners with other organisations including Warm Wales and Care & Repair Cymru
An innovative new programme to link energy help schemes with healthcare providers has now helped more than 2,000 people in the UK, as well as training 200 frontline professionals.
As we reach the end of winter [with spring beginning today – Thursday 20 March], and with the tightening of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) eligibility on the horizon, fuel poverty charity National Energy Action’s Warm Homes, Healthy Futures programme has been working with organisations across the country to support households with their energy bills.
Funded by the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), Warm Homes, Healthy Futures is a multi-year, nationwide programme that connects health professionals and local public health bodies to energy advice and other specialist support services.
Since September 2024, specialist energy and benefits teams working with Warm Homes, Healthy Futures have helped more than 2,000 people in the UK, as well as speaking to over 1,500 people at more than 200 community events. They have trained 200 frontline professionals on the health risks of cold homes and carbon monoxide safety.
A National Energy Action survey² of clients found that prior to accessing the service, 90.2% of households could not keep their homes warm when they needed or wanted to, compared to 65.6% after. And 50% found they no longer turned their heating down, or off, all the time due to worries over cost, and 28% no longer limit which rooms they heat in their homes. Just over a third reported no longer always using blankets, coats, hot water bottles or other items to keep warm instead of their heating.
Warm Homes, Healthy Futures focuses on the link between health conditions and fuel poverty. Recent polling with YouGov³ of adults in GB found that 49% of all respondents said they were likely to ration their energy use in the three months following polling. But those with certain health conditions were more likely to expect to ration their heating:
- Arthritis (62%)
- Asthma (58%)
- Heart condition (57%)
- Mental health condition (58%)
Dr Danielle Butler, Project Development Manager at National Energy Action, said: ‘The enthusiasm from energy, housing and health professionals has been incredible in building this network. We’re thrilled that the Warm Homes, Healthy Futures programme is now delivering vital support, helping to create safer, warmer, and healthier homes while strengthening collaboration to tackle fuel poverty and health inequalities.’
Warm Wales
Warm Wales is the oldest Community Interest Company in Wales, aiming to provide homes with affordable warmth and to alleviate fuel poverty across the country.
Joanna Seymour, Director of Partnerships and Development at Warm Wales says, ‘Being part of the Warm Homes, Healthy Futures programme is crucial for our community. It helps us tackle fuel poverty and ensures that our homes are safe, warm, and healthy. Cold homes are devastating for long-term health, contributing to conditions such as respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues. This programme brings together health, energy, and housing sectors to create a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone. By improving the warmth and quality of our homes, we can significantly reduce the strain on healthcare services and enhance the overall well-being of our residents.”
Warm Wales has started by working with Dr Ffion Prothero base at a GP practice in Flint. Dr Ffion Prothero says, ‘As a GP, I see firsthand the impact of cold, damp homes on my patients’ health. The Warm Homes Healthy Futures project is vital in addressing these issues, providing much-needed support to those most vulnerable. By ensuring our patients live in warm, safe homes, we can prevent many health problems and improve their quality of life.’
Client case studies
‘The lady we had went above and beyond to help us, finding a cooker for us so I can now make meals for my family cheaply and quickly, she also helped us contact people like my electric supplier and Payplan who helped me budget the debts we had and now we’re not receiving threatening letters.’
– Warm Homes, Healthy Futures client
‘With the support you gave me I had my heating on at least six hours a day instead of an hour’.
– Warm Homes, Healthy Futures client
ENDS
Notes to editors
- National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk/.
- Sample size up to 28-01-2025 is 61. The sample is designed to capture feedback from clients monthly, with a sample drawn on the first Monday of the month. The sample consists of those who received advice between the first day of two months ago to the 28th day of last month before the sample is drawn. Therefore, the data captured so far contains data up to the end of January. The ongoing impact reporting is cumulative and so results reported will naturally change on a monthly basis.
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,266 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15-16 January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
- The Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) is a £170 million fund introduced by Ofgem for the 2021-2026 period, allocated to the four Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) in Great Britain. This funding supports projects aimed at helping vulnerable consumers and addressing carbon monoxide safety issues. Each GDN invests in initiatives that enhance the safety, health, and well-being of vulnerable customers, with at least 25% of the funding dedicated to collaborative efforts with partners and organisations.