*Heating oil* (Wales) Welsh Govt will receive £3.8m from UK Govt from April to support households in Wales dependent on oil for heating and hot water. In a written statement today...

The energy price cap will fall from 1 April. Average bills (paid by Direct Debit) will cost £1,641/yr. A fall is v. welcome. It takes a bit of pressure off. But only *a bit*. Not long ago, average bills were around £1000/yr. For many families, that now feels like a different era.

A quick, initial summary of the UK Govt’s Warm Homes Plan and some questions it raises for Wales:

'Today’s figures lay bare the scale of the challenge - but also the opportunity.' Head of National Energy Action Cymru Ben Saltmarsh responds to new fuel poverty statistics that reveal a quarter of households in Wales are in fuel poverty.

'It is a relief that it will now go to so many more pension-age households who really need it.' Our Head of Policy Matt Copeland responds to news that over 75% of pensioners will now get the Winter Fuel Payment.

ICYMI: Eight suppliers have committed to pay £18.6m in compensation and debt write off following the scandal of forced prepayment meter installations. Sits alongside stricter standards introduced by Ofgem following concerted pressure from many at the time, incl. a welcome Senedd Committee inquiry.

'A short fall from a great height.' Energy bills to decrease for first time in a year from July, down 7%, and roughly back to January's levels. Welcome. Yet still out of reach for so many. Lots of whom find themselves saddled with crushing levels of energy debt, after four years of pain.

Wonderful to see lots of friendly faces at our North Wales Fuel Poverty Forum this morning with Ofgem and Charis Grants. Thanks to all who shared their insights into vulnerability, debt and what additional support is needed to help those in difficulty.

Fantastic turnout at our Fuel Poverty Forum this morning with Ofgem and over 65 colleagues from across south Wales. We're talking about vital topics with a focus on vulnerability, debt, and how we’ll heat our homes going forward.

Our evidence has informed the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee's latest report on #FuelPoverty in Wales. Take a look at its recommendations here: business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHisto...

Our #FuelPoverty Forums are back in May. If you're working to make sure more people in Wales can live in a warm, safe and healthy home, register here: www.nea.org.uk/fuel-poverty...

We're recruiting a Head of People and Culture. They'll embed our values and behaviours, ensure legal compliance and promote inclusion and diversity. Apply here: buff.ly/Ngr7w7T

Our Director of Policy Peter Smith is on @bbcradio4.bsky.social @moneybox.bsky.social with @paullewismoney.bsky.social now, speaking about standing charges. He's discussing regional variations across GB and Ofgem’s new consultation on requiring energy suppliers to offer zero standing charge tariffs

Third price cap rise in a row. Up 10% in October. 1% in January. 6% in April. The cost of energy remains stubbornly high - far beyond pre-crisis levels - and out of reach of thousands of the poorest households in Wales.

Following the energy price cap announcement, our Head @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social says that the cost of energy remains 'out of reach for hundreds of thousands of the poorest households across Wales'. (1/2)

While a new 'zero standing charge' price cap tariff will benefit some, there are very real and legitimate concerns expressed in here that remain unaddressed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We're recruiting a Training and Assessment Officer. They will act as course tutor and examiner, responsible for delivering our training courses and qualifications to a wide range of organisations. Find out more and apply here: https://buff.ly/4i2IRB0

Today, @cornwallinsight.bsky.social has revealed its final prediction for the April energy price cap. With costs expected to rise by 5%, our Chief Executive @adamscorer.bsky.social says, 'There is no getting used to this new normal for the people we try to help.'

'It should not fall to a charity like us to address the failings of government schemes and commercial firms' - our Chief Executive Adam Scorer on the damage failed retrofit schemes can do and why we stepped in to help householders in Preston.(1/2)

Our Radio Teleswitch (RTS) webinar is live today. 11am-12.30pm. Feat. Ofgem and Energy UK. Join us if you can. It’s not too late to register 👇

Long-awaited consultation on new PRS MEES across England and Wales. Some of the leakiest homes, occupied by some of the most vulnerable households. UK Govt proposing EPC C by 2030 (up from E), with landlords spending up to max. cap of £15k (or £10k if eligible for affordability exemption).

Bad news. The predictions for what'll happen to the energy price cap in April keep rising. EDF now predicted Ofgem will increase it by 3.3% rise, British Gas predicts 5%, Eon Next predicts 5.7%. We're only a couple of weeks from the assessment period's end. So that means it's getting pretty firm

We're recruiting a Training and Education Officer to develop and deliver training courses and education workshops to frontline workers, volunteers, and young people from a wide range of organisations. Find out more and apply here: https://buff.ly/4jJbEfD

The Radio Teleswitch Metering service will switch off at the end of June. It is important for stakeholders to understand what this means for the people you support and how you can help them take action. Sign up for our Wales session. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

This is good news. Payments to help cover the cost of off-gas fuels have been uplifted under the Welsh Government's Discretionary Assistance Fund. Up to £500 for oil or three payments of £82.50 for LPG/ bottled gas.

Bitterly cold weather spells real trouble for low-income households. Check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours if able. Seek advice if you're worried about heating your home. Events like this should set alarm bells ringing too. Fuel poverty is a systemic issue. Its solutions are known.

𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥. Our Older Not Colder service provides free home energy support to over 60s in Wales. Request a free visit from one of our Home Energy Officers: careandrepair.org.uk/oldernotcold... #OlderNotColder🏠

The Commissioner is inviting older people across Wales to share their views and ideas about how we can create a Wales that leads the way for older people. Get in touch now and don't miss your chance to make your voice heard: www.olderpeople.wales/haveyoursay

OFGEM CEO SPECIAL POD: I ask him why are UK energy prices so high? Will he cut standing charges? Is he in energy firm's pockets? Is UK energy cyber secure? Renewables, prepay, time of use & more podcasts.APPLE.com/gb/podcast/t... open.SPOTIFY.com/show/6tsU1yc... www.BBC.co.uk/sounds/brand...

Ofgem had said it was minded to reduce high standing charges from April. It will not be. An issue that became a matter of remarkable public interest - so much so that tens of thousands of consumers responded to Ofgem's call - will now be the subject of another consultation.

*Welsh Govt Draft Budget 2025/26* Welcome additional investment in immediate, crisis support: £1m uplift in Discretionary Assistance Fund + ~£700k for Fuel Bank Foundation to help those in greatest need. Cash in people’s pockets to help get them through today, tomorrow, the next couple weeks.

Our Head of Wales @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social gave evidence yesterday to the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee on the scale of #FuelPoverty, need to ramp up investment in the Warm Homes Programme, and ensure we maximise opportunities to drive up standards and tackle avoidable inequalities.

Fuel poverty is deep and enduring. It's many households 'normal'. It doesn't need to be. Grateful, as ever, to work alongside many terrific, tireless partners in Wales dedicated to helping. #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay www.nea.org.uk/who-we-are/nea-campaigns/fpad

Ofgem has announced January’s price cap. £1,738 per year by direct debit. £1,690 by prepay. £1,851 by standard credit. Energy prices will remain high throughout winter, just as we need it most. Rose 10% in October. Up a further 1% in January. Here’s a thread on what this means in Wales:

Average energy bills of £1,738 a year are not normal or affordable. Average energy bills of £1,738 a year are not normal or affordable. Average energy bills of £1,738 a year are not normal or affordable.

'Now we know there will be no let up into January and beyond.' Our Chief Executive @adamscorer.bsky.social responds to the news that the #PriceCap will rise by 1% in January.