New steps to tackle fuel poverty in London

Last year, we worked with the GLA, CAG Consultants, CSE and ACE to develop the evidence base to underpin the Mayor's Fuel Poverty Action Plan. Yesterday was perhaps a milestone day in seeing research and strategy transformed into delivery programmes that can really make a difference to Londoners:

Warmer Homes grant funding

Yesterday saw the launch of the £2.5m Warmer Homes scheme which offers grants of up to £4,000 for a wide range of energy efficiency measures. It's designed to help owner occupiers on a range of qualifying benefits or who are covered by a local authority ECO Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent (don't panic...). You can find more information and a list of qualifying benefits in the latest blog on the London Fuel Poverty Hub (a bit easier to find the qualifying benefits here than in the GLA guidance). We're also planning to publish a list of which local authorities have Statements of Intent, so you'll have a quicker idea of whether households might be eligible.

This is a great boost in funding for energy efficiency in London, which has traditionally been short-changed by national energy efficiency schemes. The scheme hopes to help 1000 households in the coming year and will be delivered by our friends at Retrofit Works, a cooperative of installers, designers, surveyors and advocates who are bringing a new approach to quality and delivery in energy efficient retrofit.

London is also testing out some innovative near-zero-energy retrofit approaches through its Energy Leap project.

Fuel poverty advice services for all Londoners

Also announced yesterday - and with the potential to have an even greater impact - is an extension of fuel poverty advice and support services to ensure that all Londoners can access advice. The patchwork quilt of advice provision was one of the key problem areas that we identified in developing the evidence base for the Fuel Poverty Action Plan. Some of London's most deprived areas were missing out on advice, largely because of austerity cuts in local authority services. After a successful trial of the SHINE London service, funding has now been provided to four projects which will build on existing advice services to operate in boroughs where no other service exists. 

Alongside advice services, there's work going on to develop an energy supply offering for Londoners to bring access to fairer energy prices.

New Fuel Poverty Partnership

Fuel poverty is an energy issue, a health issue, an incomes issue and a housing issue (also arguably a social inclusion issue). As such, approaches to tackling fuel poverty need to be multi-disciplinary and multi-sector. Coming soon to London will be a new Fuel Poverty Partnership to bring all these strands together. Keep an eye on the London Fuel Poverty Hub for more news on this as we get it...

These are all important steps in tackling the growing problem of fuel poverty in the capital. Let's hope that 2018 is the start of a real change in the fortunes of London's fuel poor households.