NIA asks for cross party support to be extended to a national energy efficiency programme

The NIA welcomes the recent cross party agreement for action on climate change and is urging party leaders to agree support for an ambitious national energy efficiency programme.

With over 7m households lacking solid wall insulation, 6m lacking cavity wall insulation and over 7m having inadequate loft insulation the NIA is asking party leaders to build on their recent commitment to tackle climate change by agreeing to make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a national infrastructure priority.  Supported by additional funding from the Government Infrastructure budget and to pledge to provide support to 6m low income households by 2025.

Recent reports have highlighted the scale of the problem and demonstrated why a fresh approach and step change in funding for energy efficiency and installation rates is needed:

• The rate of insulation installations has collapsed under the current Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal and is well behind the trajectory needed to achieve the UKs carbon saving targets according to the Committee on Climate Change.  At the current rates of installation it will take:

o   Around 150 years to insulate all of the remaining solid wall properties

o   Over 30 years to insulate all of the remaining cavity wall properties

o   And around 60 years to insulate all of the remaining lofts to the correct level

• A recent study by leading think tank Policy Exchange identified that over 1m of the 2.3m fuel poor households in England have a family member at work and that Government funding to tackle fuel poverty is currently around £700m-a-year below that needed.

   

• Research conducted by Cambridge Econometrics and Verco for the Energy Bill Revolution identified that a far more ambitious home energy efficiency investment programme would pay for itself and significantly boost the UK economy.  The report revealed that the programme would:

o   add £13.9bn annually to the UK economy by 2030

o   create over 100,000 new jobs 

o   deliver average energy savings of £372 and result in £4.95 billion in financial savingsper year for UK households by 2030

o   cut gas imports by 25%, boosting energy security

o   provide a £1.27 return in tax revenue for every £1 invested by Government

Neil Marshall said: "the evidence is there for all to see - the current policies, programmes and funding are inadequate and yet the benefits to Government, the economy and hard pressed householders from a properly funded energy efficiency programme are huge.  Therefore today we are calling on all political parties to go further, faster by committing to the following in their election manifestos:

• To make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a UK infrastructure investment priority supported by appropriate levels of funding and a robust delivery plan developed with industry.
• As part of the programme insulate 2 million low income homes to EPC band C by 2020 and all 6 million low income homes to band C by 2025."

NIA membership now available to Green Deal Assessors

Over the last few weeks we have been contacted by a significant number of Green Deal Assessors and Green Deal Assessor Organisations expressing an interest in joining the NIA and in response we have now opened up membership for GDAs and GDAOs.  Affiliate Membership is available at an  annual cost of £309 + VAT.

Membership of the NIA will provide GDAs/GDAOs with a number of important benefits including:

• Access to information, advice and guidance on Green Deal, GDHIF and the Energy Company Obligation.
• Opportunity to network and develop relationships with our other members including Green Deal Installers and Greed Deal Providers.
• Opportunity to raise any issues or concerns you have with the current schemes which we can voice on your behalf with Government , energy companies and other key stakeholders.
• Attend our local briefing events and Annual Conference/gala dinner. 

If you are interested in membership please contact Bev Hodson bev.hodson@nia-uk.org 01525 383313

NIA Introduces New Service for Local Authorities and Housing Associations

With the cuts to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) announced by Government last year, an increasing number of Local Authorities and Housing Associations are now unable to secure ECO funding for insulation programmes and are therefore funding these from their own budgets - as a result we are increasingly being contacted by them asking for our help in finding local installers to carry out work on their behalf.

In response to these requests the National Insulation Association (NIA) is pleased to announce the introduction of a new service for Local Authorities and Housing Associations looking for insulation companies to work on their projects. They can provide us with details of these  projects and we will then issue expressions of interest and tender requests on their behalf to our members through our electronic communication system.  This provides the benefit of avoiding the need to contact lots of different companies and is immediate.

The NIA is the lead trade body for insulation measures in the UK representing manufacturers and installers of cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, roof and loft insulation and draught proofing and therefore our members can provide multi measure solutions.  In addition, NIA  members are required to meet our robust membership criteria and adhere to our strict code of professional practice and therefore using our members provides additional reassurance and peace of mind.

If you would like to use this service please email or telephone Bev Hodson at NIA bev.hodson@nia-uk.org   01525 383313

NIA Calls on all Party Leaders to Commit to making Energy Efficiency Retrofit an Infrastructure Investment Priority in their Manifestos

With over 7m households lacking solid wall insulation, 6m lacking cavity wall insulation and over 7m having inadequate loft insulation Neil Marshall, CEO of the NIA is today calling on all party leaders to make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a national infrastructure priority supported by additional funding from the Government Infrastructure budget and to pledge to provide support to 6m low income households by 2025.

Recent reports have highlighted the scale of the problem and demonstrated why a fresh approach and step change in funding for energy efficiency and installation rates is needed:

• The rate of insulation installations has collapsed under the current Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal and is well behind the trajectory needed to achieve the UKs carbon saving targets according to the Committee on Climate Change.  At the current rates of installation it will take:

o   Around 150 years to insulate all of the remaining solid wall properties

o   Over 30 years to insulate all of the remaining cavity wall properties

o   And around 60 years to insulate all of the remaining lofts to the correct level

• A recent study by leading think tank Policy Exchange identified that over 1m of the 2.3m fuel poor households in England have a family member at work and that Government funding to tackle fuel poverty is currently around £700m-a-year below that needed.

   

• Research conducted by Cambridge Econometrics and Verco for the Energy Bill Revolution identified that a far more ambitious home energy efficiency investment programme would pay for itself and significantly boost the UK economy.  The report revealed that the programme would:

o   add £13.9bn annually to the UK economy by 2030

o   create over 100,000 new jobs 

o   deliver average energy savings of £372 and result in £4.95 billion in financial savingsper year for UK households by 2030

o   cut gas imports by 25%, boosting energy security

o   provide a £1.27 return in tax revenue for every £1 invested by Government

Neil Marshall said: "the evidence is there for all to see - the current policies, programmes and funding are inadequate and yet the benefits to Government, the economy and hard pressed householders from a properly funded energy efficiency programme are huge.  Therefore today we are calling on all political parties to go further, faster by committing to the following in their election manifestos:

• To make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a UK infrastructure investment priority supported by appropriate levels of funding and a robust delivery plan developed with industry.
• As part of the programme insulate 2 million low income homes to EPC band C by 2020 and all 6 million low income homes to band C by 2025."

NIA sets out ambitious plans for 2015 to support its solid wall insulation members maximise business opportunities

At its Annual Conference attended by around 300 delegates on 4^th December 2014, Neil Marshall the NIA's Chief Executive briefed members on the plans the Association had to stimulate the markets for external and internal wall insulation and position its members as the preferred companies to use with consumers and specifiers.

The NIA is the lead trade body for solid wall insulation representing manufacturers, system providers and installers of both external wall and internal wall insulation in the UK.

Neil Marshall said: "With solid wall insulation installations expected to be minimal under the Energy Company Obligation due to Government cuts earlier this year and the stop start nature of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund, we will be focusing greater attention on stimulating solid wall insulation activity in other market sectors including new build domestic, commercial and commercial refurbishment.   The theme of our conference was Building a Sustainable Future for our Industry and that is exactly what we intend to do.  As well as creating additional opportunities for members we will be clearly positioning and promoting NIA members as the preferred choice to carry out external and internal wall insulation work to householders and specifiers.  We will of course be continuing to work very closely with Governments in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to shape the various Government and energy company funded solid wall insulation grants and schemes to maximum effect.’

Marshall set out a number of areas in which the NIA would be supporting its solid wall insulation members in 2015:

• Providing information and advice on opportunities in different market sectors, funding available and how to access these.
• Promoting the benefits of solid wall insulation and using NIA members to householders, funders and specifiers in the domestic, new build and commercial markets.  NIA has around 100,000 hits on its website looking for companies to carry out work.
• Introducing a new quality and service charter for NIA members to clearly differentiate them from non members and provide competitive advantage when quoting or tendering for work.
• Working in partnership with housing providers, builders, framework operators and other specifiers in encouraging them to request NIA membership to work on projects.

In conclusion Marshall said: "2014 has been a volatile and challenging year for solid wall insulation and solid wall insulation companies particularly with the changes to the Energy Company Obligation and feast and famine nature of the GDHIF.  As a trade association committed to delivering added value to its members, we are determined to support our members in accessing sustainable business opportunities going forward.  We would therefore urge external and internal wall insulation companies that are seeking a long term future to join the NIA to benefit from the support we will be providing and to help strengthen the weight of our voice and lobbying power."

Installer membership is available from £995 + VAT and manufacturer/system designer membership from £2,500 + VAT and we do not charge an application fee.

To apply for membership email bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or telephone 01525 383313  

     

Up to £4,000 towards the cost of Solid Wall Insulation now available through Government’s Green Deal Home Improvement Fund

The Government’s popular Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) is to reopen for applications at 9am on Wednesday 10th December 2014 in England and Wales and the National Insulation Association (NIA) is urging householders to contact its members to take advantage of the scheme to upgrade their property’s energy efficiency.

Under the GDHIF householders can apply for:

• Up to £4,000 towards the cost of installing Solid Wall Insulation 
• Up to £1,000 for installing two measures from an approved list including cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, roof insulation and central heating boilers and.
• Up to £100 rebate towards the cost of a Green Deal Advice Report.

The scheme also entitles those who have bought a property in the 12 months before applying to qualify for an additional £500 if they carry out energy efficiency improvements.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “The NIA welcomes the return of the GDHIF and the Government’s continued commitment to helping households to reduce their fuel bills and increase the comfort of their homes. Under the new scheme, householders will need to obtain a quotation for the work to be undertaken in order to apply for a voucher. Therefore, we are urging householders to contact their local Green Deal accredited NIA Installer or Green Deal Provider members without delay to find out more about GDHIF and arrange a survey and quotation.”

Householders  can be safe in the knowledge that an NIA member will have signed up to a strict Code of Professional Practice, meaning peace of mind comes as standard.

To find a local Green Deal accredited NIA installer or Green Deal Provider member and details on the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund householders and landlords should visit the NIA website www.nia-uk.org or call 08451 636363.

Leading organisations call on Government to act now to help prevent excess winter deaths

A group of leading organisations including charities, fuel poverty groups and industry is urging the Government to take immediate action by announcing additional ‘emergency’ funding for heating and Insulation measures in the Autumn Statement on 3^rd December 2014 to help reduce the thousands of vulnerable people who will die of cold related illnesses this winter.

The Government’s long awaited new Fuel Poverty Strategy and Targets are still subject to parliamentary process and will, therefore, have no impact on this winter and time is rapidly running out to take action.

Age UK recently reported that one older person will die every seven minutes from cold weather this winter and that excess winter death rates and illness are highest among those in the coldest homes.  The report highlighted that nearly 1 million older people live in fuel poverty and cannot afford to heat their homes to a sufficient temperature in order to keep warm and well and called on the Government to upgrade the energy efficiency of these homes.   

However, the latest Energy Company Obligation Monthly Report published by DECC on 20^th November showed that the support for vulnerable households through its flagship ECO Affordable Warmth Scheme which provides free heating and insulation has plummeted.  Less than 6,000 measures were installed in September 2014 compared to nearly 30,000 in September 2013. This trend is likely to continue throughout the Winter as Ofgem reported in August that the overall ECO Affordable Warmth Target to the end of March 2015 was virtually completed in June 2014. 

Derek Lickorish, Chair of the Government Fuel Poverty Advisory Group speaking on behalf of the group said: “Today we are calling on Government to make additional funding available through the Autumn Statement to provide free heating and insulation measures to thousands more fuel poor and vulnerable householders.

“While energy bills have increased by 140% since 2005, incomes have risen less than 30% over the same period. The problem of fuel poverty is a very serious issue and life threatening for the elderly and for those in poor health. An estimated 18,200 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2013/14. An estimated 30% of winter deaths in Europe are caused by cold housing^[1]. By making just 1.5 million of the most inefficient fuel poor homes meet a decent standard of insulation with a modern heating system would save them over £200 million each year off their fuel bills and thereby increasing their spending power for food and other essentials.

Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive of National Energy Action said: “NEA has deep concerns over the lack of funding for heating and insulation improvements to help the most vulnerable families over the course of this winter. I urge the Chancellor to release some of the billions of pounds that have gone into the Treasury this year from taxes and levies imposed on energy consumers.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "Thousands of older people face a daily battle to stay warm during winter, risking their health by keeping the heating low to avoid running up a bill they can't afford.  Increasing energy costs coupled with poorly insulated homes means the UK is fighting a losing battle against cold weather and it is very difficult for increasing numbers of people to properly protect themselves. 

"The only solution to this problem is an ambitious programme to bring all our housing up to a high energy efficiency standard. We realise a national infrastructure project of this scale would require major investment; but not only would it reduce illness and deaths among older people, it would also cut associated costs to the NHS, create jobs and growth and help future generations.

"No older person should worry that they could die from the cold in their own home. Fuel poverty is a national scandal which has claimed the lives of too many people - both old and young - for far too long and left many more suffering from preventable illness. We want a permanent solution and we believe it is within our grasp, if there is the necessary imagination and political will."

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust, said: “This isn’t about short term hand-outs to get people out of trouble for one winter, fixing our leaky homes means putting an end to this most severe issue, full stop. We know that for many this is going to be a really tough winter so let’s help those in need, starting with those who need us most.”

Ed Matthew from the Energy Bill Revolution said: "Insulation of British homes have crashed this year. The solution is to make home energy efficiency the UK's infrastructure investment priority. This can help millions of families warm their homes and create jobs in every part of the UK. No other infrastructure investment can achieve so much for so many."

Dr Joanne Wade, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, said: “It is totally unacceptable that over 2 million households in the UK today are unable to afford to keep warm in their own homes and many millions more are at risk due to poor quality housing, rising energy costs and uncertain incomes.  To solve the problem of fuel poverty, we need to invest in energy efficiency measures in more than half a million low-income homes every year for the next ten years. Clearly the current level of activity under ECO is nowhere near adequate: government must take immediate action to begin to remedy this.”

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “Poorly insulated homes are a major contributor to fuel poverty and excess winter deaths and it is therefore vital that Government takes immediate action though additional funding to enable thousands more vulnerable households to receive help through home insulation this winter.  Our industry stands ready to deliver these extra measures.”

List of the organisations

Age UK

Association for the Conservation of Energy

Energy Bill Revolution

Energy Saving Trust

Fuel Poverty Advisory Group

National Energy Action

National Insulation Association

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Duncan Murray at the NIA press office on 01327 227 010 or email Duncan@evolution-pr.co.uk

---

[1] http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/145511/e95004sum.pdf [p13]