Tackling fuel poverty in rural areas What can be done? Kath McDaid NEA Regional Co-ordinator Yorkshire & Humber Region

What is currently available to tackle Fuel Poverty? Grant aid schemes – national and local Invest to save projects Energy supplier programmes such as: Carbon Emissions Reduction Target – CERT Community Energy Savings Programme – CESP Priority Services Register Social Tariffs Trust Funds Smart meters

Affordable warmth - What is out there to help? Home Heat Helpline – advice on energy efficiency, bill payment, benefit assessments, payment schemes Local Authority Schemes – may offer discounts on insulation, central heating may be free to certain categories of applicant Contact local council Warm Front Benefit Entitlement Check – can check what an individual is entitled to Pension Service Helpline- Advice on pension credits for over 60’s Energy Efficiency Advice Centres – advice on energy, transport, microgeneration, referrals to local grant schemes Warm Front – grants to install energy efficiency measures to homeowners/occupiers in receipt of certain benefits Age Concern (Age UK) – information on fuel switching, saving energy, keeping the home warm and other related subjects Consumer Direct – information on how to switch energy supplier, price comparison fact sheet, regionally based advisors on range of issues Winter Warmth Advice Line – check eligibility for and make referrals to Warm Front, Benefits Helpline and other agencies. Open Oct – Mar Citizens Advice Bureau – advice on benefit entitlements, help with applications for grants etc. Local CAB in phone book or online Home Improvement Agencies (Foundations) help older and vulnerable people maintain their independence by providing housing-related support Winter Fuel Payments Helpline – advice on payment of winter fuel payments

Affordable warmth - What is out there to help? Home Heat Helpline – advice on energy efficiency, bill payment, benefit assessments, payment schemes Local Authority Schemes – may offer discounts on insulation, central heating may be free to certain categories of applicant Contact local council Warm Front Benefit Entitlement Check – can check what an individual is entitled to Pension Service Helpline- Advice on pension credits for over 60’s Energy Efficiency Advice Centres – advice on energy, transport, microgeneration, referrals to local grant schemes Warm Front – grants to install energy efficiency measures to homeowners/occupiers in receipt of certain benefits Age Concern – information on fuel switching, saving energy, keeping the home warm and other related subjects Consumer Direct – information on how to switch energy supplier, price comparison fact sheet, regionally based advisors on range of issues Winter Warmth Advice Line – check eligibility for and make referrals to Warm Front, Benefits Helpline and other agencies. Open Oct – Mar Citizens Advice Bureau – advice on benefit entitlements, help with applications for grants etc. Local CAB in phone book or online Home Improvement Agencies (Foundations) help older and vulnerable people maintain their independence by providing housing-related support Winter Fuel Payments Helpline – advice on payment of winter fuel payments

What is available regionally? York and North Yorkshire Affordable Warmth Partnership York and North Yorkshire Hotspots Scheme Leeds City Region Low Carbon Framework –Craven and Harrogate Yorkshire and Humber AW Action Plan North Yorkshire Housing Strategy Humber Housing Strategy Energy Saving Trust advice centre – ESTac Rural Community Council – Regional Co-ordinator (looking at off-gas communities)

What Can Be Done? Lobbying Local Authority for grants + local action plans for achieving affordable warmth County sign up to eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 Lobbying central government to: – continue grant aid especially in favour of renewable technologies in off-gas areas – ensure Ofgem regulates in favour of consumer –ensure Commission for Rural Communities acts on rural fuel poverty Health sector contributing towards action on fuel poverty Lobby regional agencies to maintain profile of AW alongside climate change priorities

What do you think?

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