Why partnerships are key to tackling fuel poverty

Recently, I wrote an article for Utility Week about the ongoing fuel poverty crisis in the UK and why we must harness the power of public, private and third-sector partnerships to find ways to tackle this issue. The article was inspired by a visit to 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 grip of fuel poverty.

Bob's story isn't unique, but it's a stark reminder of the harsh reality faced by millions across the UK .

A Growing Crisis

Fuel poverty impacts the most vulnerable. It’s 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’.

At Cadent, we have developed several partnerships that allow us to reach those that are most vulnerable living in fuel poverty. This includes one of our recent initiatives – the 'Direct Access to Wellbeing Services (DAWS) Team', in collaboration with Birmingham Community Healthcare Charity (an NHS charity) – which provides essential support to those who might otherwise face difficulties leaving hospital or maintaining a warm, healthy environment at home.

The team has already supported over 25,000 people with energy, financial and health interventions, given out over 2,000 CO alarms and distributed over £25k in vital food and fuel vouchers, as well as cooking and heating equipment.  DAWS) is one of the many support initiatives we have established for those most in need, empowering our frontline colleagues and community partners to make a real difference in people's lives.

Here, the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) from Ofgem, a regulated funding programme, also plays a critical role. Every project we support – whether through VCMA funding or the Cadent Foundation, where we continue to invest a proportion of our profits – contributes towards achieving our ambition to keep all our customers safe, warm and independent in their homes, and never leave a customer vulnerable without gas.

The power of partnerships

The challenge of fuel poverty is significant, but by harnessing the power of public, private and third-sector partnerships, we can make a real difference in the lives of those most in need.

The VCMA is a critical funding route that is helping to bridge a gap that exists through other public and private routes. We need to ensure this critical funding is maintained, and that as an industry, we continue to collaborate to go beyond the reach of this, too. 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 must 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.