The Fuel Poverty Coalition NI’s Response to the Department for Communities: Consultation on a new Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Consumer Council’s Draft 2024-2025 Forward Work Progamme. We work closely with the CCNI across many aspects of this work, but especially in relation to energy issues including consumer protection, empowering consumers,...

We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Department of Finance’s consultation on the overarching draft Budget 2025-26. Our recommendations are driven by the urgent need to end fuel poverty in Northern Ireland, affecting as many as 40% of households...

NEA NI remains deeply concerned about the recent policy changes to the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Scheme (WFP), as the revised eligibility criteria is too restrictive.

We warmly welcome the draft Corporate Plan’s commitment to partnership and evidence-based practice. NEA NI is pleased to work in partnership with the PHA through its Northern Exposure Programme, to deliver initiates like the Belfast Warm and Well Project.

The proposed projects clearly appear to contribute to protecting and empowering consumers in Northern Ireland.

NEA NI has long advocated for an updated Fuel Poverty Strategy, as there is a clear need for a strategic, cross-departmental, and cross-sectoral approach to tackle Northern Ireland’s fuel poverty crisis.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.

We support the Department’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving the energy performance of homes.

NEA has a long-standing interest in smart meters and their roll-out in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, particularly with regard to their impact for vulnerable and fuel poor consumers.

LucidTalk - NEA NI: September 2024 – Northern Ireland (NI) Attitudinal Poll

NEA NI commends that the NI Executive has published a draft Programme for Government and we welcome the opportunity to respond to this public consultation.

We welcome the opportunity to provide comment on this draft Equality Impact Assessment of the initial decisions taken by the Minister for Communities in relation to the 2024-25 Budget.

We welcome the opportunity to respond to this Equality Impact Assessment. Our comments are informed by our research, expertise and extensive experience supporting fuel-poor households and vulnerable energy consumers in Northern Ireland.

We welcome the opportunity to respond to this Call for Evidence on developing biomethane production in Northern Ireland.

We welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation. Our comments are informed by our research, expertise and extensive experience supporting fuel-poor households and vulnerable energy consumers in Northern Ireland.

The upcoming General Election provides a vital opportunity for policymakers to address the fuel poverty crisis and ensure vulnerable people are warm, safe and healthy at home. NEA NI is calling on all Northern Ireland candidates and parties to commit...

We are pleased that the Utility Regulator (UR) is continuing to look at ways the standards of customer service in the energy supply sector can be improved.

NEA NI response to the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd Transmission and Distribution 7th Price Control (RP7).

NEA NI response to the Consumer Council NI Draft 2024 – 2025 Forward Work Programme Consultation.

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator’s Consumer Protection Programme 2024-29 Consultation.

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator's draft Corporate Strategy 2024-2029.

LucidTalk - NEA NI: September 2023 – Northern Ireland (NI) Attitudinal Poll

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator's Best Practice Framework Proposals: Code of Practice for Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstance.

NEA NI response to the Utility Regulator's Call for Evidence on the Electricity Connection Policy Framework Review.

In the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive, our local councils have a considerable role to play in supporting fuel poor homes. Ahead of the upcoming local council elections, NEA are calling on candidates and parties to commit to...

NEA welcome the opportunity to respond to the Consumer Council’s Draft Forward Work Programme (FWP) 2023–2024.

NEA NI welcome the opportunity to respond to the consultation on policy options for the Energy "One Stop Shop" Implementation Plan.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation on NIE Networks RP7 Price Control.

As a regulated company, SSE Airtricity ultimately serves to provide an essential service to consumers in Northern Ireland. The interests of consumers must be at the heart of the Final Determination.

As a regulated company, firmus ultimately serves to provide an essential service to consumers in Northern Ireland. The interests of consumers must be at the heart of the final determination.

LucidTalk - NEA NI: Northern Ireland (NI) Omnibus Poll Question Results General Report

Critical factors for the Adoption of Smart Homes for Energy Efficiency

Over the last number of months, NEA has experienced a significant rise in the number of households seeking emergency support. Unfortunately, we expect this trend to continue as we believe as many as 40% of households might now be struggling...

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Utility Regulator’s Draft Forward Work Programme (FWP) 2022–2023.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the SONI governance licence modifications consultation.

The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) plays a fundamental role in providing vital information, advice and advocacy for all consumers in Northern Ireland, with a focus on vulnerable consumers. This work has great importance for NEA and many organisations...

The Budget provides the Executive with an opportunity to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland by allocating resources to high priority areas in order to improve outcomes for citizens.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department for Economy’s Consultation on ‘Heat Networks - Building a market framework’.

This policy briefing highlights the positive steps that can be taken now by the UK Government and energy regulator Ofgem to respond to the current energy crisis and support vulnerable energy customers this winter. It is hoped that this will...

The report details that there were 5,802 deaths in Northern Ireland in the 2019/20 winter period which is the third highest number of winter deaths in the last 10 years.

This year’s UKFPM identifies the opportunities associated with decarbonising heat for fuel poor households; the barriers they face in doing so; the likely risks of the decarbonisation agenda for them; and which policy developments and interventions are required to ensure...

A practical guide to help MPs, MLAs, local councillors, health professionals and advice workers answer queries on energy bills, heating, home insulation and energy efficiency.

Our Budget and CSR submissions recommend ways to support struggling households to keep warm this winter at a time when energy prices are increasing, incomes are reducing, and there are other financial pressures on households like rising inflation. It also...

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ‘Call for Evidence and views on the Climate Change Bill’.

NEA NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department for Economy’s consultation on policy options for a new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland.

This strategy will impact upon every energy commodity in Northern Ireland from power station, to building, to vehicle. However, as a fuel poverty and energy efficiency campaigning charity, NEA NI will be specifically focussing on the key considerations for domestic...

Urgent action is needed to improve health outcomes and support the most vulnerable people who are at most risk of needless death and morbidity. Public Health England (PHE) recently warned there is a clear overlap between cold homes and Covid-19...

The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) plays a fundamental role in providing vital information, advice and advocacy for all consumers in Northern Ireland, with a focus on vulnerable consumers. This work has great importance for NEA and many organisations...

NEA NI works closely with the Utility Regulator across many aspects of work, but especially in relation to consumers and policy development, also with the view to empowering consumers and communities. We have made some comments around the objectives in...

While we understand that, at present, the key focus for the Department is to ensure that the Single Electricity Market (SEM) is maintained and fully operational after the implementation period. We also note that issues such as retail, consumer vulnerability...

This year’s UK Fuel Poverty Monitor (UKFPM) reviews the events that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they have impacted vulnerable energy consumers and the organisations that look to support them, cataloguing the response to this challenge from...

Improved insulation and heating standards are seen as the most rational and sustainable means of mitigating heating price increases and ensuring affordable warmth. While we must decarbonise our energy system, we must also ensure that the needs of those on...

The COVID-19 outbreak has already had a significant impact on household finances, especially those that already struggle with the costs of essential services. But there is a bigger gathering storm. Existing debt issues within the water and energy sectors are...

NEA NI works closely with the Utility Regulator across many aspects of work, but especially in relation to consumers and policy development, also with the view to empowering consumers and communities. We have made some comments around the objectives in...

Based on the 2016 House Condition Survey (HCS), Northern Ireland has a rate of fuel poverty at 22%. It is also estimated that there are approximately 43,800 households in extreme fuel poverty which means they need to spend over 15%...

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,...

The challenge for most charities is to do remarkable things in testing circumstances. That is certainly true for NEA and the results can be seen in this report.

This year, the focus of the Monitor is on progress in delivering existing fuel poverty strategies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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...

A practical guide to help MPs, MLAs, local councillors, health professionals and advice workers answer queries on energy bills, heating, home insulation and energy efficiency.

A practical guide to help MPs, MLAs, local councillors, health professionals and advice workers answer queries on energy bills, heating, home insulation and energy efficiency.

NEA commissioned this report to help stimulate debate on the policy options we must consider as we seek to decarbonise heat alongside delivering fuel poverty strategies across the UK. It helpfully draws out some of the tensions and challenges we...

This research investigated the relationship between fuel poverty and carbon monoxide (CO) risk in households on low incomes and in vulnerable situations.

This briefing compares the state of the UK housing stock and fuel poverty levels with 15 other European countries. It concludes that no other country of the 16 assessed performed as poorly overall as the UK across the range of...

NEA engaged the University of Ulster to undertake research into the mental health and wellbeing impacts of fuel poverty and how energy efficiency measures can be used to combat them. A significant outcome from the research was it demonstrated to...