Developing local fuel poverty alliances –

integrating work on health and energy

Chris ChurchCommunity Environment Associates

Climate, Energy and fuel poverty

Climate Change is at the core of all work on energy and our futures. But there is not much day-to-day concern, notably in poorer communities.

Energy is needed by every household – how that energy is produced, sold and used is a key issue for creating stronger communities

Fuel poverty is how energy issues impact on many communities

Fuel Poverty – a short overview

What is fuel poverty? (1)

The old / standard definition:

When a household has to spend 10% or more of its income to heat its home to a reasonable standard.

What is fuel poverty? (2)This definition is seen as inadequate as it includes high

income households with hard-to- heat homes.

The recent government review by John Hills (LSE) recommends classifying households as fuel poor if “they have required fuel costs that are above the median level; and were they to spend that amount they would be left with a residual income below the official poverty line”

This definition is discussed in the new DECC Fuel Poverty Framework.

Fuel Poverty – the new approach

But... The poverty line is defined as having an income below

60 per cent of median once energy costs are taken into account.

This ignores some issues around affordability.

There will always be people under the ‘median’ line: so there will always be fuel poverty.. So why should the Government try and eradicate it?

“Why not just stick to something everyone understands?”

UK work to eradicate fuel poverty

The target: “To eradicate fuel poverty as far as reasonably practical in vulnerable households by 2010 and in all households by 2016” Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000

The Hills review forecast that in 2016, on current policy and price expectations, 8.5 million people in 2.9 million households will still be in fuel poverty.

DECC now seem to be looking to manage not eradicate.

Cold homes... Cold homes cost the NHS in England £1.36 billion

every year (Age UK - ‘The cost of cold’ report ) Each year there are c. 27,000 excess winter deaths,

most among older people and caused by respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks due to cold temperatures.

Even in relatively mild winters, there are around 8,000 extra deaths for every one degree drop in average temperature,.

People living in the coldest homes are three times as likely to die from a cold-related illness compared to those in warmer homes.

Cold Homes – Susan’s storyThis is about people’s lives:

“My 11-year old daughter and I are currently moving out of a rented house. The house is freezing cold, with no draught proofing and draughty sash windows with huge visible gaps in the window frames. During the recent cold weather, ice formed on the inside of the window each morning.”

Energy efficiency in homes

Energy efficiency in homes

Energy efficiency is how effective a home is at using and not wasting

energy

UK Housing Stock

22 million homes in the UK

70% are owner occupied

8.4m homes were built before 1945

27% of UK carbon emissions

Improving energy efficiency of homes: the best solution for eradicating fuel poverty

“Our analysis shows that improving the housing of those at risk is the most cost-effective way of tackling the problem, cutting energy waste, with large long-term benefits to society as a whole. We need a renewed and ambitious strategy to do this”

Professor John Hills, Government Independent review of fuel poverty

The bottom line...Demand reduction is the key factor both in reducing

fuel poverty and achieving our climate change targets.

But different strategies are needed for high-income / high carbon households and those on lower incomes.

Any local strategy needs to target both (and not use a one-size fits all approach)

Investment in low carbon energy does not cause fuel poverty and is an essential part of long-term cost savings

Getting the measure of fuel poverty...

Final Report of the Fuel Poverty Review, John Hills 2012:

“Tackling fuel poverty offers a multiple payoff: better living standards and conditions for people with low incomes, an improved and more energy efficient housing stock, fewer winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS.”

Improving energy efficiency of homes: the best solution for eradicating fuel poverty

“Our analysis shows that improving the housing of those at risk is the most cost-effective way of tackling the problem, cutting energy waste, with large long-term benefits to society as a whole. We need a renewed and ambitious strategy to do this”

Professor John Hills, Government Independent review of fuel poverty

Getting the measure of fuel poverty...

Final Report of the Fuel Poverty Review, John Hills 2012:

“Tackling fuel poverty offers a multiple payoff: better living standards and conditions for people with low incomes, an improved and more energy efficient housing stock, fewer winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS.”

The bottom line...Demand reduction is the key factor both in reducing

fuel poverty and achieving our climate change targets.

But different strategies are needed for high-income / high carbon households and those on lower incomes.

Any local strategy needs to target both (and not use a one-size fits all approach)

Investment in low carbon energy does not cause fuel poverty and is an essential part of long-term cost savings

Climate change, fuel poverty and public health

  So how do these issues linked and who

can offer support?

What are the main issues for the sector?

Who are the key players and influencers?

Fuel Poverty where you live:

Fuel Poverty stats are produced by the Government and plenty of information exists. Data is available on the estimated total number of households, the estimated number of fuel poor households, and the proportion of households in fuel poverty for Parliamentary Constituency, Local Authority and Lower Super Output Area (LSOA).Download a spreadsheet from the DECC website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/fuelpov_stats/regional/regional.asp.Data at Census Output Area (COA) level is also available to users on request, by emailing fuelpoverty@decc.gsi.gov.uk.

Who’s there already?

There are various agencies working on fuel poverty. (Research / google fuel poverty, energy and your area)

Who do we need to engage?

Our own organisations?

Voluntary agencies

Wider community organisations (faith groups etc.)

The health sector

The council

And?....

Engaging the health sector Improving energy inefficient dwellings improves health and well-

being of households, reducing demands on the health sector. There have been big changes in public health management. We

now have Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWE) for every area: surely a logical place for work on fuel poverty?

A recent Age UK survey shows that only 4% of HWB gave both fuel poverty and excess winter deaths the priority status that it needs.

42% of Health and Wellbeing Board strategies failed to mention fuel poverty or excess winter deaths as an issue.

Over 75% of HWB Strategies failed to acknowledge fuel poverty or excess winter deaths as priorities, or have plans in place to combat issues surrounding fuel poverty within their community.

Local networks

The CVS / RCC

Local council managed partnerships

Environmental networks

Inter-faith work

Healthwatch

And...

Making the links on Fuel Poverty / Energy

Efficiency Do the background research – find the other agencies active (they are there);

Get the local evidence (e.g. DECC figures) Read the local HWB strategy Be clear on what you /your organisation can really offer Understand others’ reservations Those suffering from FP may have little interest in

sustainability / energy policy

So what do we do? Find other concerned organisations – build local

support (see the handout for material to use). Who has direct contact with people facing fuel poverty?

Starting engagement

Listen! Understand the community and their concerns

Start will local concerns – the state of the neighbourhood may be a good place to start

Choose an ‘entry point’ to energy / climate issues (e.g. energy bills, future planning; floods?)

Set up clear links from their concerns to your issues

Building local engagement

A new project or initiative needs to be planned carefully.

Objectives and overall aims? Resources? Targets? Partners?

THANK YOU!chrischurch@cooptel.net