North East Domestic Energy Forum Steve Kent, Chair

AcknowledgeAcknowledge WelcomeWelcome CommitCommit

No catchesNo catches Awareness of issueAwareness of issue Willing to helpWilling to help

What is fuelpoverty? What is fuel poverty? A household that needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel in order to achieve adequate temperatures.A household that needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel in order to achieve adequate temperatures. Adequate temperatures – defined by World Health Organisation as 21 o C in living room and 18 o C in other areasAdequate temperatures – defined by World Health Organisation as 21 o C in living room and 18 o C in other areas Second definition under reviewSecond definition under review

What is fuelpoverty? What is fuel poverty? A complex issue – Energy inefficient housingEnergy inefficient housing Insufficient heating equipmentInsufficient heating equipment Fuel costsFuel costs Low household incomeLow household income Dwelling size in relation to the number of occupantsDwelling size in relation to the number of occupants

The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Current estimates – 3 million households across UKCurrent estimates – 3 million households across UK Targets –Targets – Eradication of fuel poverty in - Vulnerable households by 2010Vulnerable households by 2010 All households by 2016All households by 2016

Fuel Poverty in the North East Fuel Poverty Indicator developed by Centre for Sustainable Energy and Bristol UniversityFuel Poverty Indicator developed by Centre for Sustainable Energy and Bristol University 1991 Census and 1996 English House Condition Survey data1991 Census and 1996 English House Condition Survey data In 1996 –In 1996 – UK – 22%UK – 22% North East – 31%North East – 31% Some wards – 40% +Some wards – 40% +

Fuel Poverty and Health High instance of excess winter deathsHigh instance of excess winter deaths Respiratory and circulatory problems exacerbated by the coldRespiratory and circulatory problems exacerbated by the cold Cost to NHS - £1 billion a yearCost to NHS - £1 billion a year Every 1 o C below winter average will result in an extra 8,000 deathsEvery 1 o C below winter average will result in an extra 8,000 deaths

Actions for Change Home energy efficiencyHome energy efficiency Fuel costsFuel costs Low household incomeLow household income Dwelling sizeDwelling size Information and adviceInformation and advice

Key Energy Organisations Many organisations can helpMany organisations can help Local AuthoritiesLocal Authorities UtilitiesUtilities EST Advice CentreEST Advice Centre EAGAEAGA EnergywatchEnergywatch Voluntary groupsVoluntary groups CharitiesCharities An endless list …..An endless list ….. Partnership working is keyPartnership working is key

Aspirations Target of 250 within 6 monthsTarget of 250 within 6 months Early assistance will be required of LA’s to assist in promoting the declaration amongst their many existing partnershipsEarly assistance will be required of LA’s to assist in promoting the declaration amongst their many existing partnerships Initial questionnaireInitial questionnaire

Benchmarks Evaluate questionnairesEvaluate questionnaires NEDEF working group to provide feedback and pointersNEDEF working group to provide feedback and pointers Develop benchmarks for future reviewDevelop benchmarks for future review Strengths and weaknessesStrengths and weaknesses Analysis of sector type sign up – gaps in networkAnalysis of sector type sign up – gaps in network

Progress Regular NEDEF working group meetingsRegular NEDEF working group meetings Invitations to participate (not to be part of)Invitations to participate (not to be part of) Follow up questionnaire to evaluate progressFollow up questionnaire to evaluate progress Signpost findingsSignpost findings

Reporting NewsletterNewsletter NEDEF web siteNEDEF web site North East Domestic Energy Forum Agenda ItemNorth East Domestic Energy Forum Agenda Item