Welcome to our second Newsletter! We have had a busy six months across all strands of our work including campaigns, policy and public affairs, training and projects. We have continued to work with Department for Social Development (DSD) who has responsibility for the fuel poverty strategy, on their Thematic Action Groups (TAGs) and assisted with the production of a range of action plans. The outworking of these plans is imminent and will be instrumental in proving how effective the new structure has been. We also continue to work across all the political parties and Ministries. We held a constructive meeting with Minister Foster and her energy team; discussing a range of issues in relation to fuel poverty such as the Energy Efficiency Obligation proposed in the Energy Bill alongside the issue of oil and regulation. We look forward to working with DETI in their positive contribution to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. NEA also attended a meeting with the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR), accompanied by Phil Flanagan MLA, to propose a pilot on an afforda-ble warmth tariff for older people. We await further developments to scope out the via-bility of a project in this area of work. Our Northern Exposure project continues to tackle the most serious heating issues for individuals across Belfast. The Northern Exposure research with the University of Ulster is due to launch on 20th March 2013 with some interesting findings. While the lead for fuel poverty sits with DSD it is clear that direct interventions to tackle fuel poverty have profound effects on health and mental well-being across all ages; the funding from the Public Health Agency goes some way in highlighting this and we look forward to a busy and productive project in 2013!
February 2013
The purpose of this bi-annual newsletter is to provide policy updates and information about operational programmes as suggested by the NEA NI’s Belfast Community of Interest (COI). If you wish to share any information or indeed join our COI please contact [email protected] and we will include you in our communications.
NEA Northern Ire land Newsletter Act ion for Warm Homes
NEA NI Newsletter
Northern Exposure 2
Warm Homes 3
Advice NI’s Debt Advice Service
4
Bryson Energy UMA Project
5
Training & Development 6
Policy Update: NIHE House Condition Survey 2011
7
Policy Update: Transforming Your Care
9
Policy Update: Fit & Well 10
What's to Come 11
Contact NEA/Key Contacts 12
Inside this issue:
Airtricity announced a price increase on the 22nd February 2013 for all Greater Belfast Natural Gas customers. The price increase will commence on the 1st April 2013.
The Utility Regulator has approved the extension of firmus energy (distribution) Ltd’s natural gas network by 10%. Natural Gas will now be brought to the elec-toral wards of Camlough and Bessbrook.
Northern Exposure is a project delivered by NEA NI on behalf of the Fuel Poverty Community of Interest, a cross-
sectoral partnership initiative of the Public Health Agency.
The project aims to tackle home heating and insulation problems of low income families in Belfast by engaging
with local community groups to raise awareness of fuel poverty and energy efficiency.
Information & Advice can be given on the following:
Fuel Poverty
Health Risks of Living in Fuel Poverty
Energy Efficiency Measures
How to Reduce Energy Bills
Switching Fuel Suppliers
Payment Options
Grant Schemes for Energy Efficiency Measures
If you are part of a community group and would like an
information session please contact NEA Northern
Ireland on 028 9023 9909.
P a g e 2 N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
Fuel Poverty Projects and Advice
N or t h e r n E xp osu re
Did you know that
insulating your
home can save
you up to £300 per
year?
The Warm Homes scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Department for Social Development by H&A
Mechanical Services and Bryson Charitable Group.
Homeowners or private renters may be eligible for
energy efficiency improvements to their home
under the Warm Homes scheme. If you are in
receipt of one or more of the benefits listed below,
you may be eligible to have:
Cavity wall insulation
Loft insulation
Hot water tank jackets
Energy advice
The Warm Home Scheme is aimed at private sector
housing only, that is, those who are owner occupiers
or who rent their homes from private landlords.
Householders do not have to make any financial
contribution.
The scheme provides a free Benefit Entitlement
Check service to all applicants to ensure that you are
receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to.
P a g e 3
As well as the improvements available under Warm Homes, householders who are in receipt of one of the benefits listed
below may also be eligible for:
Installation of a fully controlled energy-efficient oil or gas central heating system where no system currently exists
Conversion of an existing bottled gas (LPG), solid fuel or Economy 7 heating system to oil or natural gas.
The qualifying benefits for Warm Homes Plus are:
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income Related Employment & Support Allowance
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Pension Credit
Working Tax Credit
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
War m Ho m es P lu s
The qualifying benefits for Warm Homes are:
Income Support
Income Related Employment Support Allowance
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
(with relevant income less than £15,860))
Working Tax Credit
Disability Living Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Housing Benefit
For more information or to register with the
scheme, please Freephone 0800 988 0559 or visit
www.warm-homes.com.
Fuel Poverty Projects and Advice
War m Ho m es
P a g e 4
With many people struggling through post-Christmas debt across Northern Ireland, Advice NI on receipt of a £2.5 million award from DETI
NI launches a new, integrated debt advice service which will run until 2015. The new “Debt Action NI” service is delivered in partnership
with Payplan, one of the UK’s largest providers of free-to-client debt advice and aims to help the most vulnerable take back control of
their finances. Since operations began in August 2012 the service has helped nearly 3,000 clients deal with £62 million of debt, an aver-
age of £17,775 per person including mortgage debt.
This new innovative service offers a range of access channels to help more people cope with the rising levels of debt. Face to face advice
is offered from over 40 outlets across NI, a text service and freephone telephone service and a virtual adviser service is available online
Monday to Friday. The Debt Action NI website www.debtaction-ni.net also offers an innovative online budgeting tool, a debt help request
form and an assisted self-help option. This self-help or supported debt advice service will ensure that those who are more capable of
approaching their debt are supported with information and resources to negotiate with creditors and tackle their situation on their own.
Fiona Magee Deputy Chief Executive of Advice NI said the most common type of debt for clients was credit card debt followed by
personal loans, catalogue debt and overdrafts. One major problem for people is the fact that they owe money to lots of different
creditors.
“For a growing number of people, crippling debt is becoming a major, life defining issue. The Debt Action NI service aims to make getting
on top of debt a much more straight-forward and achievable process. We can help by providing advice and support on managing
repayments, negotiating with creditors and assisting at court.
One key element of the new service is a way to help pay off multiple creditors through a ‘single disbursement payment system.’ This
system allows those who can only afford a small/token offer payment to make a single payment, with Advice NI then negotiating with
creditors to agree a monthly repayment. We know that this will be a major help to many people across Northern Ireland.”
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster officially launched the service. She said: “The addition of web-based delivery of debt advice is a wel-
come innovation, bringing the service to a larger client base and using technology to make optimum use of limited resources. The tele-
phone and web-based services will never be the only routes to advice, but they are a growing part of the debt remedy jigsaw. This new
service will ensure each client is able to receive support through the delivery channel that is most closely aligned to their needs.”
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
Advice NI Launch New Debt Advice Service Across Northern Ireland
Fiona Magee said “the timing of the launch, when many people will be receiving their
post-Christmas credit card bills highlights the need for the service.
One client who used the service had two credit cards and over five year his debt
spiralled from £7,000 to £15,000 and the interest went from 13% to 40%. He was
made redundant and due to the pressure he was under this client had a mental
breakdown. The Debt Action NI adviser negotiated a debt management plan for the
client.
The client said, “The debt amongst other things nearly destroyed my life. The help
Debt Action NI gave me turned my life around. The adviser dealt with my case with
sympathy and urgency.”
Anyone struggling with debt should get in touch with the Debt Action NI service via
Freephone: 0800 917 4607(Monday – Friday 8am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm)
Text: Action to 81025
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.debtaction-ni.net From left to right: Minister Arlene Foster, Sarah Reeve
(Payplan) and Fiona Magee (Advice NI)
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 5
Bryson Energy Urban Maximising Access Project
Bryson Energy in Partnership with the Public Health Agency are piloting a new service for older, isolated householders in the South Belfast area.
This pilot aims to target support directly to householders to help them maximise access to benefits, grants and services during a scheduled home visit.
We can arrange for a trained advisor from Bryson to schedule an appointment and provide help with:
Benefit Entitlement Check
Referral to Energy Efficiency Grants
Information and access to a range of local services
Referral to a Home Safety Check
“A pilot of this project was undertaken in 2010 in rural areas and in some cases, householders increased their income by over £60 a week, while others received
energy efficiency grants and access to a wide range of services they were entitled to.”
Do you work with any isolated or vulnerable older householders who could benefit from this project?
For more information or to make an onward referral please contact:
Louise Magee
Email: [email protected]
Call: 028 9073 4271
email: lma-
NEA is a leading provider of energy efficiency and fuel poverty training. The information in this
feature outlines information about our Energy Awareness course which, in partnership with City
and Guilds leads to a recognised qualification.
NEA / City and Guilds Level 3 Energy Awareness 6281-01 Training and Qualification
This three-day training course is designed for people who wish to gain or further their knowledge of domestic energy
efficiency and in particular is aimed at those who are in a position to provide energy advice. Course participants come from
a range of organisations including local councils, voluntary organisations, energy companies and providers, and housing as-
sociations.
The course content includes:
identify a range of heating and hot water systems and appliances found in homes
identify the type and function of controls on heating and hot water systems
advise clients on the efficient and safe use of heating and hot water systems and appliances
interpret domestic fuel cost data using reference materials
advise clients on how to record gas and electricity consumption and work out costs
inform clients of ways of paying for gas and electricity
identify the potential to improve the energy efficiency in a range of dwellings
state the grant aid available for domestic energy efficiency measures
advise clients on how to avoid condensation and how to take remedial action where condensation dampness exists.
It is relevant to the training needs of:
Staff from consumer advice and other organisations, particularly those dealing with enquiries about energy efficiency.
Fuel utility staff who need to advise customers on the efficient use of fuel and appliances
Staff of insulation companies who need to provide energy advice that complements practical insulation measures
Housing providers, particularly those who are required to provide information on energy efficiency to households
Care workers who wish to provide energy advice to families with young children, elderly or disabled people
Participants must have basic literacy and numeracy skills, be able to use a calculator and be able to extract and interpret
data from given tables.
The one day examination following the three days training leads to a Level 3 City and Guilds 6281-01 qualification,
recognised as a requirement for people who give domestic energy advice to householders.
For expressions of interest to undertake the above course, please contact [email protected] or
If you would like any further information on any of our other training courses please visit our website:
www.nea.org.uk/training
Training and Development N EA C i ty & G u i ld s 62 8 1 - 0 1
P a g e 6 N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
House Condition Survey: A Measurement Tool
The key objectives for the 2011 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey are1:
Provide a comprehensive picture of the dwelling stock and its condition in 2011 for Northern Ireland and
each of the 26 District Councils
Facilitate a comparative analysis of housing conditions in Northern Ireland with other parts of the UK
Examine the association between dwelling conditions and the social and economic circumstances of
households
Examine changes in the condition of the stock over time in terms of key government measures: Decent
Homes and the Housing Health and Safety Rating Standard
Provide a reliable assessment of the energy efficiency of the stock and the level of Fuel Poverty in Northern
Ireland on a comparable basis with the rest of the UK
The above objectives have remained broadly consistent with those in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2009.
Summary of Results 2011
Total level of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland is 42.0%
Private Rented housing sector is the housing tenure with the highest level of fuel poverty at 49.1%
Total rural fuel poverty is higher than the Northern Ireland average at 44%
Urban towns outside the Belfast City show a higher rate of fuel poverty that the Belfast Metropolitan area
The most at risk age grouping are those over 75 years
Household income below £10,000 correlates with the highest occurrence of fuel poverty
Those retired are more likely than those not working to be in fuel poverty
1Northern Ireland Housing Executive, House Condition Survey 2011
http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/corporate/housing_research/house_condition_survey.htm
Policy Update
NI HE Ho u s e C on d i t ion Su r vey 2 0 1 1
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 7
Table 1.1 Comparisons with the UK Fuel Poverty Rates
The comparison table above shows the level of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland to be at least double that of
England and significantly higher than Scotland and Wales. However, it must be noted that these statistics do
not always relate to the same year.
Table 1.2 Dwelling Tenure – Fuel Poverty 2011
Source: NIHE 2009/2011
Private Rented housing sector is the housing tenure with the highest level of fuel poverty.
Tenure Fuel Poverty (No.)
2011
Fuel Poverty %
2011
Fuel Poverty (No.)
2009
Fuel Poverty %
2009
Owner Occupied 190030 40.6 178040 38.9
Private Rented and
Others 60320 49.1 67770 54.9
Social Housing 43890 39.7 56500 51.4
Total 294240 42.0 302310 43.7
Policy Update
NI HE Ho u s e C on d i t ion Su r vey 2 0 1 1 ( S tat i s t i ca l Ev id en c e)
Region England Scotland Wales Northern
Ireland UK
Year of survey 2010 2010 2008 2011 2010
% of homes
estimated to be in
fuel poverty
16.45 27.9 26.2 42.0 18.6
P a g e 8 N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
In June, the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety announced that a Review of the Provision of
Health and Social Care (HSC) Services in Northern Ireland would be undertaken. The Review was to provide a
strategic assessment across all aspects of health and social care services, examining the present quality and
accessibility of services, and the extent to which the needs of patients, clients, carers and communities are being
met. Crucially it was to bring forward recommendations for the future shape of services and provide an
implementation plan. The Review was complete by 30th November 2011.
Reasons for Change:
To be better at preventing ill health
To provide patient-centred care
To manage increasing demand across all programmes of care
To tackle health inequalities
To deliver a high-quality, evidence-based service
To support our workforce I delivering the necessary change
The Review identified twelve major principles for change, which should underpin the shape of the future model
proposed for health and social care:
Placing the individual at the centre of any model by promoting a better outcome for the service user, carer
and their family
Using outcomes and quality evidence to shape services
Providing the right care in the right place at the right time
Population-based planning of services
A focus on prevention and tackling inequalities
Integrated care- working together
Promoting independence and personalisation of care
Safeguarding the most vulnerable
Ensuring sustainability of service provision
Realising value for money
Maximising the use of technology
Incentivising innovation at a local level
Policy Update
Tran s for min g Yo u r C a re : A Rev i ew of H ea l th an d S oc ia l C are in N or t h e r n I re l an d
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 9
Advances in treatment and care have meant that chronic conditions can be managed differently with the aim of securing a better
quality of life for longer. Unfortunately, those who are disadvantaged in our society do not have an equal chance of experiencing
good health and wellbeing and too many still die prematurely or live with conditions that they need not have.
This framework proposes for consideration some priority areas for more focused collaboration.
The consultation proposed an updated strategic direction for public health for the next ten years, bringing together actions at
government level to improve health and reduce health inequalities, and which will guide implementation at regional and local
level.
The strategic document stated its intention too:
Build on and promote the values, principles and successes of Investing for Health
Take account of emerging social, economic and policy developments as well as new bodies of evidence
available
Provide vision and updated strategic direction
Facilitate whole-government synergy to address the range of key socio-economic factors which influence health and wellbeing
Provide direction for delivery and implementation at the regional and local levels through partnership working
It is proposed that these aims continue to be relevant and that these will remain the aims of this 10 year Public Health
Strategic Framework.
Building on these aims, it is proposed that the framework will move NI towards the following vision, “where all people are enabled
and supported in achieving their full health potential and well-being”. This vision is around creating the conditions for individuals
and communities to take control of their own lives and requires social action. Key to achieving a reduction in the significant
inequalities in health in Northern Ireland will be to place public health and wellbeing at the heart of decision making about policies
and services at regional and local level. This is also reflective of the new European health policy, Health 2020, which is currently
being developed in partnership with Member States, civil society, academic institutions and networks and professional associa-
tions.
For NEA’s responses to these consultations please visit::
http://www.nea.org.uk/nea-northern-ireland/policy/Consultation+Responses.htm
Policy Update
F i t an d wel l : C h a n g i n g L i ves 2 01 2 - 2 2 — A Ten Ye ar S t rateg i c H e a l t h Fram ewo r k for No r th er n I re lan d
P a g e 1 0 N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r
Energy Action European Fuel Poverty Conference 2013 is being held in Dublin between the
11/03/2013 to 12/03/2013. For more information please visit: http://www.energyaction.ie/
Northern Exposure Research into mental health and wellbeing – ‘Alleviating Fuel Poverty in
North & West Belfast’. The launch of this research is taking place on the 20th March 2013 in the
University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus. For more information or if you would like to reserve
a place please contact [email protected].
NEA NI’s Affordable Warmth Project has now come to an end. The finale event is taking place on
29th April 2013 in the Long Gallery Suite, Stormont. For more information please contact
Public Consultation: Heating Policy Review. The Housing Executive is carrying out a consultation
on a review of its heating policy in its properties. Responses to the consultation can be made in
writing or email by the 1st April 2013. For more information please visit:
http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/corporate/consultation.htm
Public Consultation: The Utility Regulator has published a consultation on a new Marketing
Code of Practice for electricity and gas suppliers in Northern Ireland. The Utility Regulator is
consulting on the proposed content of a new mandatory Marketing Code. Responses to be
submitted by 17 May 2013. For more information please visit:
http://www.uregni.gov.uk/news/view/consultation_on_new_marketing_code_of_practice/
Public Consultation: Discretionary Housing Payments. The Department for work & pensions is
seeking views on the Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual that DWP provides to
local authorities. The current guidance has been updated following changes in welfare benefits
such as the introduction of Universal Credit and abolition of Council Tax Benefit from April 2013.
Consultation responses must be submitted before 31st August 2013. For more information
please visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/discretionary-housing-payments.shtml
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 1 1
What's to come...
Key Contacts
Warm Homes: 0800 988 0559 Advice NI: 028 9064 5919
Power NI: 0800 0321 894 Age NI: 0808 808 7575
Bryson Energy: 0800 1422 865 Engage with Age: 028 9064 9649
Carillion Energy Services: 028 9046 9000 WIG: 028 9038 2022
Consumer Council: 028 9067 2488 (Women’s Information Group)
Winter Fuel Payments: 0845 915 1515
NEA Northern Ireland Telephone: 028 9023 9909
64-66 Upper Church Lane Fax: 028 9043 9191
Belfast Email: [email protected]
BT1 4QL
Pat Austin Director
Paul Wallace Training & Development Manager
Angela Gracey Project Coordinator
Meadhbh McCann Policy & Campaigns Officer
David Crothers Trustee NEA Northern Ireland
Mimi McAlinden Advisor
Douglas McIldoon Advisor
Contact NEA Northern Ireland
N E A N I N e w s l e t t e r P a g e 1 2