1. Fuel Poverty in Newcastle Newcastle Homeless Forum 1 March 2012

2. Outline What is fuel poverty? Causes of fuel poverty Newcastle picture Current delivery

3. A household is in fuel poverty if more than 10% of income is spent on heating the property to adequate levels “The inability to afford to adequately heat the home” Fuel Poverty

4. Causes of Fuel Poverty Rising fuel prices Low household income Poor thermal efficiency Cold, damp & unhealthy homes

5. Energy Price Pressures Energy prices have risen sharply gas +86% electricity +39% (DECC 2001 - 2010) Too many choices supplier payment method tariff Major concerns fuel debt self-disconnection Average online direct debit £1,078 Average prepayment meter £1,228 Average direct debit £1,149 Average standard credit £1,247 Figures 09/11/11, based on average ‘medium’ annual consumption of 16,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity for a 3 bedroom semi-detached property.

6. Latest price rises (and cuts!) SupplierGas %Electricity %Date British Gas1816 (-5) 18/08/11 (12/01/12) EDF Energy15.4 (-5)4.5 10/11/11 (07/02/12) npower15.7 (-5)7.2 01/10/11 (01/02/12) Eon18.111.4 (-6) 13/09/11 (27/02/12) ScottishPower19 (-5)10 01/08/11 (27/02/12) Scottish & Southern18 (-4.5)11 14/09/11 (26/03/12)

8. Where the heat goes

9. Indoor temperature & health

10. In Newcastle’s 120,000 homes… £1,247 average fuel bill (2012) 40% residents have a health issue 30% are fuel poor (Nov 2011) 14.16% excess winter deaths (2009/10)

11. Delivery of measures Newcastle Warm Zone Health Through Warmth Warm Front Modern Homes Helping Hands

12. Delivery of energy advice Energy Centre Newcastle Warm Zone Energy Saving Trust Utilities Home Heat helpline Consumer Direct

13. Financial assistance Warm Home Discount Social tariffs (EDF and Eon) Winter Fuel Payment Cold Weather Payments Income maximisation Debt advice

14. Nine-year-old Luke put down his feelings on how his home was affecting his wellbeing: I feel cold and sad I haven’t got any heating My home is cold and damp Water runs down the wall And it makes my bed wet My fingers draw on the window It’s like fog I try to pull the cover over me But it does not work End Child Poverty, 2008

15. Contact Details phone: 0191 278 3427 email: energy@newcastle.gov.uk web: www.newcastle.gov.uk/energycentre