NEA: Grassroots leadership in the fight against fuel poverty

Tuesday, 4 December 2007 12:00 AM

Key players in the field of tackling fuel poverty in Wales will come together to help local government and partners tackle fuel poverty - a problem affecting roughly 20% of households in Wales.

National Energy Action (NEA) Cymru will host the Warming Up: Taking action on fuel poverty event on December 4th, sponsored by SWALEC and takes place at the Media Resource Centre, Oxford Road, Llandrindodwells, LD1 6AH. Jane Davidson, Minister with responsibility for Environment, Sustainability and Housing will give the opening address.

Recent figures showing that fuel poverty has almost doubled in the past few years as a result of rising energy prices have emphasised the importance of ensuring affordable warmth for all. Behind the statistics lie real people who put their health at risk because they go without heating or get into unmanageable debt just to pay the bills. Because it is a complex problem, we need all parts of government to work together with partners in the private and voluntary sectors to make a difference.

Local authorities have made good progress recently, and - with the support of NEA Cymru - most have developed, or are developing, Affordable Warmth Action Plans, setting out their commitment to tackling fuel poverty. Warming Up: Taking action on fuel poverty will focus on translating commitments into action to tackle the problem at a local level.

SWALEC will be announcing an award scheme at the event - Feel the heat - this will provide an award to help support innovative local initiatives that provide solutions to fuel poverty in 2008.

NEA Cymru director, Nuria Zolle, said: "With the cold weather now arriving, we need to focus on what can be done at a local level to address the problems faced by the thousands of households who simply cannot afford to keep their homes warm in winter.

"Local authorities have key roles to play in tackling the problem on a local level and we are very grateful to SWALEC for not only sponsoring this event, but also the award scheme which will support and celebrate the good work that is being done at grassroots level."

Andrew Lloyd at SWALEC, said: "We are continually looking to help people get the most from the energy they use and we are conscious that for many the ability to effectively heat their homes is a worry. Working to alleviate fuel poverty is a key objective for the company and one we would struggle to achieve without the help of the local authorities and other local groups.

"As an energy company we actively promote the benefits of measures such as insulation, but quite often the message doesn't reach those in most need or is viewed with scepticism as they feel we have ulterior motives. We believe that there are many groups working with communities who can make a real difference in getting the message over and maybe none more so that the local authorities.

"We are therefore pleased to be able to support this work by sponsoring such a worthy event and welcome the opportunity to extend this even further through the Feel the Heat award scheme."

Minister Jane Davidson said: "Tackling fuel poverty is one of my top priorities and I am pleased that this event has been organised to bring together local authorities from across Wales to share experiences on achieving affordable warmth.

"I hope this will encourage local authorities to go back to their local partnerships with new and innovative ideas on how they can all work together to help people keep warm.

"Latest figures, for 2004, show that 130,000 households in Wales were living in fuel poverty. With rising fuel prices the target in our fuel poverty strategy are becoming increasingly challenging and the number of households in fuel poverty may have risen to 243,000 in 2006.

"Poverty always affects the most disadvantaged people such as the elderly, benefit dependant families and the sick and disabled. It affects people's health and general well-being.

"We need to fight fuel poverty on three fronts - making homes more energy efficient, maximising income and getting the best fuel prices for vulnerable households. I hope today's event will help contribute to developing the framework for delivering affordable warmth through strengthening existing partnerships to deliver real benefits to people who live in our communities."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. NEA Cymru is Wales' leading fuel poverty charity and campaigns for affordable warmth for all.

2. Fuel poverty is defined as the need to spend over 10% of household income on fuel costs to maintain adequate warmth for health and comfort.

3. The Welsh Assembly Government's 2003 document Warm Homes and Energy Efficiency Act 2000 - A Fuel Poverty Commitment for Wales pledges to eradicate fuel poverty in Wales by 2018 (with an interim target of eradicating fuel poverty for vulnerable groups by 2010 and non-vulnerable social housing groups by 2012).

For press enquiries, contact NEA Press Officer, David Bootle on 0191 2615677.

A Welsh language spokesperson is available if required.

Tags: