Fuel poverty: A national scandal I am amazed that fuel poverty isn’t a national scandal. In the social housing sector, it is given proper attention, with schemes to help tenants out of difficulty. But it doesn’t seem to filter through to the national consciousness in the same way as other poverty squeezes, such as food banks. Energy efficiency through physical measures should be a no-brainer, with money saved going straight to people’s pockets, as well as cutting carbon. But we can also make a difference, right now, with a few simple actions. insidehousing.co.uk/home/blogs/fuel-poverty-a-national-scandal/7006641.article Turning off lights or switching things off from stand-by might not seem to matter much. It is easy to feel powerless and struggle to see the impact. It’s a bit like eating a few less biscuits or getting off on bus one stop earlier – is it really going to add up? But if you do it with others, and get support to change your habits, you can achieve significant change. Ask WeightWatchers’ Slimmer of the Year. That’s why we have launched the Big Energy Race. Delivered in partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Ofgem, Citizens Advice and the Energy Savings Trust, and pulling in the more engaged energy companies (small innovators as well as big giants), we’re aiming to reach one million people in the UK. The first step is to enthuse community groups – we need 250 to register to get Energy-Fit by the new year. They will be supported with competitions and incentives to win the race – and help their friends, family and neighbours save too. We’re especially looking to social housing tenants and landlords to spread the word, as we think you’re the perfect audience to make a difference, making fuel poverty a bit easier to challenge and making the UK a bit greener. Sign-up or find out more at bigenergyrace.org Philippa Ward is a partner at the environmental behaviour change charity, Global Action Plan Readers comments (4) Josie Jones | 07/11/2014 12:18 pm Exclusive - Orbit enter PRS market and buy brewery in Norwich. One wonders if Orbit can organise a PRS up in a Brewery. PRS in Norwich is already the largest tenure, with average private rents circa £1k per month. Shared ownership at a 30% share would cost less than £700. Me thinks Orbit are living on the dark side of the moon. Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment PhilH | 07/11/2014 3:52 pm a mis posted post me thinks. good luck with the programme Philippa Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment Paul Walker | 07/11/2014 7:37 pm Miss Jones!!!!!!!!! Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment Brian Johansson | 07/11/2014 11:13 pm I wish you luck too as you are right to state that fuel poverty is underfunded and very important. How will this work? So does changing attitudes change behaviour? Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:09:26 +0000
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