Harnessing the Power of Partnership to Tackle Fuel Poverty in the UK

It was at one of our Centres for Warmth where I met Bob, a retired mechanic living alone in a cold, draughty house. With energy prices soaring and his pension remaining static, he was trapped in the relentless grip of fuel poverty. Bob's story isn't unique (and I have met many more in similar circumstances), but it's a stark reminder of the harsh reality faced by millions across the UK.

Our gas network spans some of the UK's most deprived areas, where the ongoing cost of living challenges and high energy prices are pushing households into fuel poverty. It is a growing crisis that impacts the most vulnerable, and it is an issue that we, as a society, must address collectively, or we run the risk of it no longer being a crisis, but just an established ‘new normal’.

The impact of regulatory funding

Every day, our frontline colleagues enter thousands of these homes, trained to spot signs of vulnerability, including fuel poverty. Here, the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), a regulated funding programme that helps poorly served customers and raises awareness of carbon monoxide danger, plays a critical role.

Through it, we have established a range of support initiatives for those most in need, empowering our frontline colleagues and community partners to make a real difference in people's lives. And we know the UK’s other gas distribution networks have also been making a huge impact through their regulatory-funded activities too.

We have set ourselves a highly challenging ambition in this area. Our goal is to keep all our customers safe, warm and independent in their homes, and never leave a customer vulnerable without gas. To support with this, we continue to invest a proportion of the profits we make into the Cadent Foundation, which significantly boosts our reach and breadth of initiatives. Every project, across our own Cadent Foundation and through our regulatory allowance, contributes towards achieving our ambition, enabling us to make positive interventions that have a tangible impact on our customers' lives.

Supporting the NHS

In recent weeks, we’ve embarked on an exciting new initiative, launching 'The Direct Access to Wellbeing Services (DAWS) Team', in collaboration with Birmingham Community Healthcare Charity (an NHS charity). Designed with a focus on supporting 100,000 of Birmingham's most vulnerable residents over the coming two years, DAWS provides essential support to those who might otherwise face difficulties leaving hospital or maintaining a warm, healthy environment at home.

The impact of this project is already evident in the lives of those it is intended to reach. One such case involved an elderly woman who was unable to leave the hospital due to a broken boiler and fridge at home. Thanks to the DAWS team, she received the necessary support to overcome these hurdles. Even though we are in the early stages of this initiative, we are already witnessing its potential to provide crucial assistance to patients and the NHS alike.

Also consider the case of John, an elderly man who must decide between having a shower and making a meal and speaks of the mental anguish this causes him. Through our Services Beyond the Meter team, he received a much-needed boiler replacement, ensuring he has a warm and safe home during the harsh winter months.

These are just a few examples but behind each of these stories are countless others, each one demonstrating the transformative power of targeted, compassionate support.

The challenge of fuel poverty is significant, but it is not insurmountable. By harnessing the power of public, private and third-sector partnerships, we can make a real difference in the lives of those most vulnerable. Last month, we hosted our annual Vulnerability Conference. The desire to expand support further than ever before was palpable, from all the organisations in attendance.

The VCMA is a critical funding route that is helping to bridge a gap that exists through other public and private routes. This was abundantly clear when we heard inspirational stories from three of Cadent’s Centres for Warmth managers on how they are tackling vulnerability in their communities, through the centres established by Cadent. These stories were ones of hope and pride, as opposed to the despair the cost of living crisis is often associated with. The ability of communities to empower and uplift despite tough circumstances cannot be understated.

To continue making a difference, we need to ensure this critical funding is maintained, and that we collaborate to go beyond the reach of this too, as we have with other organisations in recent years. We must continue to invest in initiatives that not only address the symptoms of fuel poverty but also tackle its root causes.

The fight against fuel poverty is a collective responsibility. Together, we can ensure that no one in our society has to choose between heating their home and feeding their family. Let's continue to strengthen our partnerships and deepen our commitments. The wellbeing of our most vulnerable citizens depends on it.