Tackling Fuel Poverty in Coventry David Shiner Domestic Energy Efficiency Manager

The scale of fuel poverty in Coventry Coventry’s fuel poverty rate stands at 15.9% 6 th highest level of fuel poverty of all local authorities in England 195 neighbourhood level LSOAs: - in 10%, 1 in 3 households fuel poor - highest: 43% (Gosford and Gulson Rds)

Keeping Coventry Warm DoH and now Public Health funded Framework contract for 1) advice and information and 2) heating and insulation KCW Partnership Board GP surgery advice Affordable Warmth on Prescription pilot Bids to NEA Warm and Healthy Homes Fund and BGET Healthy Homes Fund

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project £820k DECC and ECO funding Over 80 homes improved Mostly external wall insulation, but also boiler replacements, loft and cavity wall insulation

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project Before: Mrs A housebound, lives downstairs, suffered urinary infections and colds, treated for anxiety After: house warmer, no condensation, less GP call-outs, son says “she is a changed person”

Affordable Warmth for Disabled Householders Project

Aerial thermal imaging

Last survey Nov 2013, heat map results available online from 31 st March 2014 First 3 days, 5573 heat map page views, 593 loft insulation page views Survey cost per home in the city was 8p Data matching with Council Tax Benefit data (2011) – 653 referrals for insulation/heating Used to target 800 Midland Heart homes for insulation between Oct 14 and March 15

Switch and Save Campaigns in 2013 and 2015 Focus on those who haven’t switched supplier or tariff (CMA 2015: 50% – 90% of ‘Big Six’ customers on Standard Variable Tariffs)

Switch and Save registered, of which 501 went on to switch (30%) 77% of registrants hadn’t switched before Average saving for all tariff types for those who switched was £284 Examples of specific tariff average savings: dual fuel monthly direct debit £347, electric only pre-payment £64

Advice and information on energy efficiency, fuel bills, financial assistance Fuel Poverty Team assisted 1283 residents by telephone, , specialist surgeries, events and home visits in 2014/15 Additional 655 assisted through provider appointed under Keeping Coventry Warm in winter 2014/2015 – 588 from specified groups (e.g. health/disability/65+/benefits)

The commercial break! Current Fuel Poverty Officer vacancy Closing date 25 th September

Maintaining and developing our approach – the key ingredients Partnerships Focusing on where the needs are greatest The smart use of data and intelligence Building the case through evidence Pursuing funding opportunities