2 June 2005

HANSON UNDERLINES COMMITMENT TO BEAT FUEL POVERTY

Social Development Minister David Hanson MP has set up an advisory group to help in the battle against fuel poverty.

The 19-strong Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, chaired by John McMullan of the Bryson House charity, held its first meeting today. Its members represent groups who have hands on experience of dealing with fuel poverty.

The Minister said: "Fuel poverty is one of my top priorities. Northern Ireland has a strong fuel poverty strategy underpinned by a series of programmes to protect vulnerable groups such as older people.

"The advisory group will be of vital help in meeting the challenging targets set out in our strategy – these are to eradicate fuel poverty for vulnerable people and those who live in social housing by 2010 and for other households by 2016.

"The individuals and organisations in the group have experience and expertise in dealing with fuel poverty and its effects and will be able to offer informed advice, guidance and support for our campaign. This is a complex and difficult problem and it is vital that we adopt a constructive partnership approach towards tackling it.

"I expect the group to adopt a pragmatic approach, to recognise the progress that has already been made and to acknowledge the constraints under which government departments operate. I would hope that this might further encourage those, particularly from the private sector, to offer further assistance to help the Department meet the targets set out in the strategy."

The Department for Social Development set up the Warm Homes Scheme in 2001 to assist people to install better insulation and more efficient heating systems. Funding has been increased from just over £3 million in 2001 to almost £12 million in the current financial year. The number of households benefiting has grown from 4,250 in 2001 to 8,250 in the current financial year.

Warm Homes is just one of a number of government safety nets to protect people from fuel poverty. Those who live in public sector homes are also supported by the Housing Executive’s maintenance and improvements programmes which include measures to address fuel poverty. In addition, the Social Security Agency pays out approximately £54 million each year in cold weather and winter fuel payments.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Fuel poverty is the situation in which a household would have to spend more than 10pc of its income on fuel to maintain an acceptable level of temperature throughout the home.
2. Fuel poverty is caused by a combination of factors including the need for heat, low household income, high fuel costs or the use of expensive fuel types and poor energy efficiency.
3. In Northern Ireland 33pc of all households are fuel poor, compared with only 9pc in England and 17pc in Scotland.
4. The Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Strategy - Ending fuel Poverty: A Strategy for Northern Ireland - sets out the Government’s targets for eradicating fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. The Strategy recommended the establishment of a fuel poverty advisory group. A list of the members is attached.
5. Copies of Ending Fuel Poverty: A Strategy for Northern Ireland are available from DSD Housing Division, tel: 028 9081 9511 or website www.dsdni.gov.uk

FUEL POVERTY ADVISORY GROUP - MEMBERSHIP

Chairman	John McMullan, Bryson House
Members:	Jenny Boyd, Energy Services Manager Northern Ireland Electricity
	Richard Rodgers Phoenix Gas
	David Blevings Northern Ireland Oil Federation
	Orla Ward Deputy Chairman Federation of Energy Efficiency Advice Centres
	Noel Williams Head of Energy Saving Trust
	Stephen Murray Northern Area Health Action Zone
	Colette Brolly Western Area Health Action Zone
	Lucinda McMurran NIFHA
	Paula Tally Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone
	Aodhan O’Donnell Health Promotion Agency
	Douglas McIldoon OFREG
	Andy McCrea Action Renewables
	Eleanor Gill General Consumer Council for NI
	Pat McAuley Eaga Partnership
	Pam Tilson Age Concern
	Jorun Rugkasa Institute of Public Health
	Mimi McAlinden Eastern Health and Social Services Board
	Pat Austin Director National Energy Action (NEA)
	Noel Rice Energy Conservation Manager, Northern Ireland Housing Executive

A representative from National Energy Action (NI) has yet to be appointed.

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