NIA to host workshop on tackling fuel poverty in solid wall properties

The National Insulation Association (NIA) is hosting a special workshop on 23rd July aimed at helping to solve issues with fuel poverty in solid wall properties in private housing.

Recent analysis undertaken by the NIA and Centre for Sustainable Energy has identified that there are around 1.5m households living in fuel poverty in solid wall homes and that some 90% of these are in private sector housing (owner occupier and private rented) and unlikely to receive help to insulate through current Government and energy company schemes.

Therefore, the NIA has invited representatives from Government and key groups involved in fuel poverty including: the Department of Energy and Climate Change, National Energy Action, Energy Saving Trust, Citizens Advice, Centre for Sustainable Energy, National Landlords Association, Local Councils, EnergyUk and the Committee on Climate Change to a workshop to debate the issue and recommend solutions to address the matter.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “There are over 1m fuel poor households living in solid wall properties in private sector housing that are unlikely to receive any help through the ECO or Green Deal. These households are not expected to be insulated under the ECO as they are not cost effective enough for energy companies and fuel poor households are not likely to be able to afford to make the financial contribution needed under the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund scheme.”

Marshall went on to say: “We cannot afford to continue to ignore these households and urgent action is needed to find a way of providing the support they require.”