NIA and its members are here to help Local Authorities maximise the opportunities from ECO3

The new Energy Company Obligation which runs from 1st October 2018 to end March 2022 includes a mechanism called the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility Option which energy companies can use to achieve up to 25% of their ECO target.

The LA Flexible Eligibility Option recognises that Local Authorities are very well placed to assist in the effective targeting of householders in or at risk of fuel poverty because of their local knowledge of the housing stock and relationships with local residents and stakeholders.  Using this new option Local Authorities can develop and run local schemes in their area providing free energy efficiency measures to residents which are funded by energy companies.

NIA members can assist Local Authorities looking for help to develop and run their schemes.  Our installer members can provide Information, advice and guidance on funding opportunities and have considerable experience of working with energy companies, housing providers and other organisations in the design and delivery of high-quality local schemes.

The NIA’s membership includes the leading manufacturers/system suppliers and installers of all insulation measures so can offer a complete service for Local Authorities looking for help.

For more details on the help available or to access these services contact Bev Hodson on 01525383313 or email Bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or visit www.nia-uk.org 

ENDS

NIA proposes urgent action on Fuel Poverty

The National Insulation Association (NIA) is calling for immediate action including a cross party debate following last night’s Panorama Report ‘Too Poor to Stay Warm’ and a new report by the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) showing a collapse in support for energy efficiency under the current Government/Parliament.

The Panorama Report revealed that:

·                     There are still more than 5 million  people in fuel poverty (20% of the population) despite a commitment from Parliament in 2000 to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016.

·                     Government is only requiring energy companies to make 1 million homes warmer by 2020.

·                     There were 9.000 deaths last year attributable to people living in cold homes.

The report by ACE revealed that:

·                     There will be a decline in energy efficiency measures installed of 73% (6 million  to 1.6 million) in the current parliament compared to the previous one.

·                     The number of households helped will decline by 76% from 5 million to 1.2 million  in the current parliament compared to the previous one.

·                     The level of investment will decline by 53% from £6.8bn to £3.2bn in the current parliament to the previous one.   

·                     The main cause of the decline is the cancellation of the Government's Warm Front Programme which provided free heating and insulation for fuel poor households and cutting the Energy Company Obligation in half from 2017.

·                     By contrast the Scottish Government is providing £100m of Government funding for heating and insulation for Scottish Householders in 2016/17 in addition to the Energy Company Obligation which is the equivalent of an additional £1bn spend in England.

Neil Marshall the NIA’s CEO said; “The report by Panorama is shocking! It is totally unacceptable for 5 million people to be living in fuel poverty and 9,000 people to have died last year due to living in cold homes in this day and age.  In addition, the report by ACE clearly highlights the extent of the problem with a massive reduction in Government support for fuel poor households through heating and insulation."  

“Therefore, we are calling for an urgent cross party debate involving representatives from consumer groups and industry to agree a plan of action to genuinely tackle fuel poverty once and for all and as part of this there needs to be agreement to a huge increase in support for free heating and insulation which can be achieved by making Energy Efficiency a National Infrastructure Priority."

NIA and DECC join forces to find solutions to tackle fuel poverty in solid wall properties.

In an event organised by the National Insulation Association (NIA) and its member Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd, a team of officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), visited Bradford’s Holme Wood Estate in order to examine first-hand the challenges that face the occupants of some of the poorest housing stock in the UK and the Solid Wall Insulation solutions available to them.

“Fuel Poverty affects millions of households in the UK and the situation can occur in all areas and demographics of the country.” Said the CEO of the NIA, Neil Marshall.  “However, this can be particularly prevalent in poorly maintained housing and the types of private rented and owner occupied properties found in inner cities. The Holme Wood Estate in Bradford is an example of fuel poverty and poor insulation at its most extreme. But, as can be seen with this on-site examination of the problems, steps are being taken to meet the challenges and address the situation.”

Neil Marshall added: “There are over 1million fuel poor households living in solid wall properties in private sector housing that are currently unlikely to receive any help through the Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.  These households are not expected to be insulated under the ECO as they are not cost effective enough for energy companies and fuel poor households are not likely to be able to afford to make the financial contribution needed under the Green Deal.  This visit is all about working together to find alternative solutions.”

The fact finding tour of the Holme Wood Estate with members of DECCs Household Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty teams took place today. During the three hour visit the team went to the heart of the estate to see housing both before, during and after the installation of external wall insulation; whilst also assessing the differences between today’s systems and those of 25 years ago. The group also had the chance to talk with local community leaders and residents to discuss the issues they face on a day to day basis and how the installation of external wall insulation has made a huge difference to their lives.

Daniel Mackie, Business Development Director from Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd said: “Hamilton’s are delighted to be working with the NIA and DECC to help to create policies that can be introduced to tackle the growing problem of fuel poverty in solid walled homes in the private sector”. Daniel also added “For 20 years, we have been delivering the benefits of External Wall Insulation to homes such as these in Holme Wood, with the Socially owned properties being the first to benefit through schemes like decent homes. Now though, those left living in thermally in-efficient properties, are generally in the private sector and more needs to be done to support those most in need, those in fuel poverty. Hopefully days like today can play a part in shaping that support.”