Citizens Advice response to the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs committee’s inquiry into Fuel Poverty
Citizens Advice commends Welsh Government for its consistent action to tackle fuel poverty, through it’s Warm Homes programme. However there are critical barriers, which have prevented Welsh Government from meeting its historic fuel poverty targets.
We recommend that the Welsh Government:
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invest in more regular and improved housing quality data to better direct investment and support it’s understanding of fuel poverty in Wales;
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better evaluate to what extent Welsh Government funded schemes move people out of fuel poverty;
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regularly review the next fuel poverty strategy, working alongside knowledgeable stakeholders in doing this;
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improve the referral process for schemes like Nest to ensure that those who do not qualify for help are not left stranded;
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carefully consider how the need to decarbonise homes will impact the next fuel poverty strategy and fuel poverty schemes in Wales, including making informed estimates on cost and practical implications;
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take a leadership role to support best practice for local authorities engaging in ECO flex and enforcing the minimum energy efficiency standards; and
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improve building standards to ensure future housing stock has a higher energy efficiency level, preemptively reducing fuel poverty.