That’s All Folks… for now

The end of my session with Energy Action Scotland marked the last of my confirmed appointments. My attempts to meet officers from the Social Inclusion Division of the Scottish Government fell through, although I may have the opportunity to speak with one last agency on my way back to London. I am trying to lock in an early morning appointment with the Groundwork Leicester’s “Green Doctor” service on Monday.

Upon my return to Australia I am responsible for the drafting of a short study tour report, and will travel around the State to share my findings with colleagues – I’ll revisit this blog then. I trust that some of the ideas I write and talk about will be considered in the Tasmanian context, and where possible applied to support the most fuel poor households in our State. Until then, cheers.

Final Off the Record – Same and Different

Aside from my blog I’ve been collecting some photos and making some  personal notes along the way. Some of the following random reflections are inspired by the notes or by conversations I’ve had with my family in the car as we travel from city to city. Ultimately, my child’s assessment of the UK : “same as Australia, and different”. I have to agree. I offer a couple of reflections below.

The number of summer daylight hours has been extraordinary – and unexpected. Daylight begins around 4am and it is not fully dark until around 11pm. This has made for some interesting attempts to put a child to bed who usually only settles down after dark.

After working hard to encourage my little man to wear a helmet when riding his bike, the first thing he observes is that cyclists generally don’t wear helmets in the UK.…

Driving in unfamiliar places certainly hightens your awareness of the things around you. One of the most visually distracting aspects of driving has been the cars parked on the side of the road. I am very use to all parked cars facing the same direction that I am driving. But in the UK cars can park facing which ever direction they like…

The only time all cars park in the same direction is on a oneway street. It is when you notice all the cars are parked headlights facing you that it clicks - I’m going the wrong way. The other tell tale signs are locals waving both arms madly in the air, and big red double-decker buses flicking their lights at you as they begin to consume more of your windscreen…

On driving, roundabouts can vary in size from regular four way intersections with a white circle painted in the centre, which I must admit it took all my will power not to drive straight through the guts of…

all the way up to massive intersections with three or more lanes, traffic signals, and forests or even office blocks built in the centre…

Add to this the fact that road signs are subtly different and at times difficult to interpret… what does the warning sign “humped pelican” mean? The messages from the locals are much clearer…

Speaking of cars, in the UK car doors automatically lock after the driver begins the journey. I’m yet to work out the benefit of this. Is it because Brits have a propensity to jump from moving vehicles, or are there more car jackings over here?

Withdrawing cash at the point of transaction, for example, at a supermarket is called “cash back”, where as we generally know it as “cash out”. Oh, and supermarket staff sit down on gas lift chairs at the check-out, and you generally pack your own groceries into bags. My partner had an interesting  interaction  with an English check out operator last week when attempting to purchase the new Greenday album (marked 18+). The checkout operator asked my partner to show identification to provide she was over 18 years of age.… something that amused me to no end, but has not happened to my partner for over a decade and a half. Maybe Australian customers look younger, or people look different from the seated position…?

On the issue of music, I noticed that many hotels now display certificates confirming they pays fees to the recording artists (or industry) for the music they play in the public areas. I thought this was a fair and reasonable act, but several of the hotels only played the same limited number of songs… one hotel had a selection of four instrumental pieces, most of them were movie themes from movies starring Kevin Costner…?

I shouldn’t laugh at my partner’s shopping experience, because I was accosted by an octogenarian in a restaurant last week. Sitting quietly waiting for our meal to arrive, an older couple on walking canes shuffled past our table, only for the lady to stop look at me and declare, “I know you”. I smiled and replied, “Um, maybe, maybe not, I’m from Australia”. The lady initially refused to believe me, “No you’re not, you’re the taxi driver from down town, what’s your name?”.  I looked at my partner, and smiled again. I’ve become incredibly conscious of my Australian accent, and in large groups of locals I can actually hear myself beginning to sound like Steve Irwin. But obviously not to this lady. I declared again, “No, seriously, I’m not from here”. The lady still un-believing, called out to her equally aged partner who had now made it to the safety of an outdoor chair and was lighting a cigarette. He waved her off and she ignored his non-response to continue her interrogation of me. I seriously considered including the word “crikey” in my next statement to her, when the lady finally accepted that I was not her local taxi driver. “You’ve got a double! My, my, you’ve got a double, wait to I see him next”. I accepted this with more smiles, and the lady wished us a good evening and shuffled off to join her partner. Over the course of our meal we observed the couple share an entire packet of cigarettes – in fact there was so much smoke coming from their table just outside the door that we had to move tables to get away from the second hand smoke. There was another benefit to this mid-meal relocation, I managed to remove myself from the eyeline of the older lady who continued to turn around and nod and smile at me. Aside from these rare events, I can declare the locals in every corner of the country we have visited have been friendly and helpful.

Finally, trader’s have the right to refuse to cash legal tender, like the GBP50 note. This actually became a problem in the first couple of weeks as I had used an Australian bank to exchange money prior to departure and they had issued me with 50 pound notes. Once in England, I began having trouble using them as smaller shops simply refused to accept them. I initially thought that this was because the value of the note was too great for their till/float. When it kept occurring I asked, “Is this legal tender in this country or not?”. To which I received the, “It is just company policy not to accept 50’s”. Later at a Laundromat I read on the wall that 50 pound notes were not accepted because of the large number of counterfeit notes in circulation. I looked at the notes remaining in my pocket and could not see anything wrong…

Energy Action Scotland

Meeting with Elizabeth – Energy Action Scotland (EAS).  Meeting at EAS, Ingram House, Ingram Street, Glasgow.  

Energy Action Scotland is on the same city block as Consumer Focus, so I had no trouble finding the meeting point nor arriving on time. I shared the elevator with an EAS worker who let me in the EAS Suite, offered me a drink and let me know that Elizabeth was in a meeting and would come and get me in a few minutes.

EAS is on the fourth floor. The office is predominately open plan, with around eight desks scattered throughout. There is communal water cooler, a disused photocopier, and a couple of private office spaces saddled next to a meeting room in the back corner.  In the reception-come-waiting area is this piece of art:

I was told later that the part-time receptionist, who sits adjacent to the wall hanging, occasionally comments on how depressing the art work is – it’s dark but it communicates volumes. At 11am, Elizabeth greeted me and we sat in her office on comfortable couches to talk about my study to date, the history of fuel poverty activity in Scotland, and EAS outputs.

-EAS has been operating for 26 years (same length of time as Anglicare). Emerged from local projects, where people were taking the initiative and improving the energy efficiency of homes. The campaigning originally focused on getting government to recognize fuel poverty as a distinct part of the wider poverty issue. There were home insulation schemes prior to New Labour in 1997, however with the new administration came the wide social inclusion agenda, and devolution of authority to the Scottish Parliament. This new Scottish administration took fuel poverty on, particularly given Scotland is further north, and has a longer heating season than south east England.

-In late 90’s and early 2000’s there was a Central Heating program, that included some insulation. Generally focused on the over 60’s – not means tested. It grew to incorporate repairs and replacements, and this continued until recently.

-There is a statutory target for the eradication of fuel poverty by 2016, under the Housing Act – the proviso of “as far as reasonably practicable” is the escape clause for government.

-The three fuel poverty dimensions of: high energy prices, low disposable income, and poor energy efficiency of homes, were again confirmed. People in energy efficient homes can still be in fuel poverty if they have low incomes. Furthermore, some older people in large homes are in fuel poverty because their single low income does not cater for heating such large homes – this group is asset rich and cash poor.

-Progress on reducing number of households in fuel poverty was being made, but progress was dampened by recent hikes in energy prices. The other issue was unclaimed benefits and entitlements.

-As for other parts of the UK, it is clear in Scotland that most of the housing stock that will be present in 2050 is already built. Retrofitting existing stock is costly – particularly the hard to treat homes. It is estimated that 33% of Scottish homes are solid wall (ie no cavity), and 25% do not have lofts. These properties are more costly again because they can not be treated with insulation as cavity wall and loft properties can. Governments and utilities alike are completing the “easy measures” first.

-The devolved government in Scotland is into it’s third term. A different party now holds power and fuel poverty programs have recently been reviewed. The Fuel Poverty Forum was reconvened, with an independent chair (a religious leader) and this review has lead to the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) – integrating funding streams and providing a one stop shop.

-UK Climate Change debate is beginning to eclipse fuel poverty issues, or the assumption that addressing climate change will mean that fuel poverty will take care of itself needs to be combated. EAS states that vulnerable consumers need action now. As such campaigning focuses on keeping the social aspect of fuel poverty in focus.

-Some assumptions that low income earners are wasting energy are not accurate. It is likely that most on low incomes already ration fuel, act frugally, and save what they can. As such, education on fuel poverty needs to focus more on “what is the consequence of a cold damp house” (health issues), and how to operate certain appliances most effectively (central heating controls – people forget). Recognise that education like this has a pay back.

-Carbon Emission Reduction Targets (CERT). Utilities will be fined if they don’t meet targets. As such the Utilities have gone for some of the easiest measures first, such as energy efficient light bulbs. I raised the issue of so many light bulbs being distributed that are counted against CERT targets but actually sit unused on shelves. Elizabeth indicated that light bulbs might not be counted in the future. The debate may then shift to meter devices. In the lead up to the 10 year plan to install “smart meters”, some utilities are exploring the distribution of the smaller clip on meters that provide some information about electricity usage. On the assumption that information will help people to use less energy. There is a question concerning whether these clip on meters will sit with the bulbs, unused in people’s cupboard. Beyond that, interpretation of information from the meters may be difficult for some. Solution may be to limit the distribution to those who request the clip on device.

-CERTs has a component where 5% of value is to be dedicated to the hard to treat properties (Priority Group Flexibility Option). Cladding and micro renewable are thought to be part of this. Elizabeth believes that nobody has taken up on this yet.

-Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has the Community Energy Saving Program (CESP) – targeted to community with multiple deprivations – consultation is finishing, and this will be rolled out more broadly later. The goal here was to test delivery mechanisms. Unfortunately the funding limits were low, and many enterprises have not taken up the opportunity to participate. EAS is encouraging participation, “use it or lose it”, and if it is not taken up the roll out may miss the mark.

-The installation of insulation and other retrofitting work is performed by a mix of business and social enterprises, using a variety of funding streams. The funding available from Utilities is inspired by the requirement for them to meet certain targets, however if they meet them in the second year of a three year plan, they simply stop, claiming they have fulfilled their obligation. This has significant economic impacts on the installers – with some going out of business for a year. The funding needs to be mindful of business sustainability. The installers, particularly the commercial enterprises, are concerned about workforce stability. Program design needs to involve them as they will not invest in training their workforce if there is no certainty that programs will be rolled out.

-With regard to income maximization. As fuel pricing increased and more people were suffering the media began to focus on the energy price, and the profit margins of the utilities. A blame game ensued between the utilities and the government over who was responsible for assisting people out of fuel poverty – government through adequate benefits, or utilities through lower prices. Government lent on utilities to introduce social tariffs. When Utilities introduced social tariffs (as defined as a beneficial rate for a certain group of consumers) it was not always the lowest tariff they had available to consumers. Social tariffs are now defined as the lowest tariff offered by each utility.

-I asked Elizabeth about Housing Condition surveys. Elizabeth indicated that there was not a complete picture available in Scotland, and there has been a focus on bringing bits of information together, particularly through the assistance of local authorities (many have included fuel poverty in their housing strategies). Energy performance certificates where inspired by the European Union (EU) under their remit for energy and trading standards (There was some opposition to it). The Energy Saving Trust (EST) in London compiling a Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED), where this information on housing conditions can be centrally located. Scottish Parliament has agreed to log information with HEED.

-There is an issue with regard “heritage” listed homes, and restrictions on refurbishment that may increase energy efficiency. That is, double glazing can’t be installed as windows must remain original, and solid walls can’t be externally cladded to increase thermal performance.

- Thermal grade curtains were once part of the fuel poverty programs.

-Campaigning. The profile of fuel poverty has been increased, but the message to government now is that pressure on utilities to lower prices is not the only issue. Energy efficiency of homes and income levels are key consideration. This is complicated by the current recession where money for all programs and initiatives are under review or cut to the bone.

-Campaigning. Strategies must include “public buy in” – win the hearts and minds of the public. EAS sits between those who work on the ground and government. Fuel Poverty Forum brings all stakeholders together and produced a powerful document – signed by all on the forum – utilities, installers and campaigners alike.

-Outside of this EAS funds projects – recently examples include leaflets to GP’s, Pharmacists, Mid-wives to assist them to refer people for support. Working with “trusted intermediaries” to assist workers who are in contact with the “hard to reach” to help clients access the services they are entitled too, or may benefit from. Many people decline assistance because of their situation or the potential upheaval in their homes (worry about furniture moving, and remove junk in the loft is a common barrier). The trust intermediaries can break down those barriers.

- EAS also provides training, including energy advisor training and energy performance certificate training. City Guilds are the certifers – similar agency to Australian Qualification Framework?

-A growing proportion of each households energy use is accounted for by consumer electronics – televisions, and computers.

Takeaways. A Report by the Socttish Fuel Poverty Forum – Toward 2016: The Future of Fuel Poverty Policy in Scotland. WWF report prepared by EAS – Carbon Countdown for Homes: How to make Scotland’s existing homes low carbon. University of Oxford reports – 40% House; and Home Truths: A Low carbon strategy to reduce UK housing emissions by 80% by 2050. EAS report – Best Practice in Fuel Poverty Schemes: Proposals and recommendations for the future of fuel poverty schemes in Scotland. EAS report – Revisiting Easthall: 10 years on.

Consumer Focus

Meeting with Andrew – Consumer Focus Scotland.  Meeting at Consumer Focus, Queen Street, Glasgow. Then a Coffee Shop down the road.

After initially walking past Royal Exchange House, because I was too busy looking at the Gallery of Modern Art on the opposite side of the road…

 

… I retraced my steps and found the home of Consumer Focus in Scotland. I wandered up to the third floor and asked for Senior Policy Advocate, Andrew. Andrew greeted me straight away and he suggested we head out to a coffee shop after a quick tour.

Andrew pointed to several sections of the open plan office. Around 30 staff, again in front of flat screen monitors on long desks with no partitions, worked studiously as Andrew and I spoke quietly. I’m not sure if this quiet work environment was in place because I was observing, or because of the phone based work performed by many staff. I mentally contrasted this scene with the corridor where I usually work; more often than not, outside of client spaces, workers with their shoes off roam with coffee in hand sharing war stories or jokes with whoever is about, occasionally debriefing on the run, or letting off steam, and regularly with elevated voices and full belly laughs. These moments at work, albeit brief, punctuate each day; it is part of the fabric of the place, it provides professionals’ with safe places to reflect, recuperate, and then return to client work.  I began to wonder how an open plan Anglicare would look and immediately reached the conclusion that it would make the agency a very different work place.  Andrew shook me out of my day dream when he grabbed his jacket and nodded towards the door. We headed off down the stairs, down the street, and into the heart of a coffee shop where we sat for the next 2 hours.

I provided Andrew with a summary of study tour to date and he made notes. Andrew indicated that he didn’t want to repeat material I’d heard, and he set about filling in some of the gaps. Andrew drew free hand graphs and charts for me throughout the session. The first chart mapped the fall and rise of the fuel poor population – a graph the matches the fall and steady rise of energy prices since the late 90’s. Andrew confirmed that competition following privatization did provide some benefits to consumers.

With regard to competition between suppliers, Andrew charted the makeup of energy supply “switchers”. In essence, a lot of people don’t switch, a small number switch regularly- the key to which is accuracy of information about your own energy use. Andrew remarked that “confusion marketing”, where consumers are unable to compare products and services has reigned, and much work has been undertaken to simplify bills and state clearly energy use and cost structure. This information is essential if consumers are to make informed choices concerning suppliers in order to save money. Andrew suggested that lessons can be learned from the UK’s decade of privatized energy suppliers: clarity of bills is a must, trust funds are worthwhile, and rising block tariffs would promote efficiency over waste (currently energy costs less the more you use. The reverse should be in place, where a set amount is affordable and the more you use the more you pay).

Andrew outlined the role of the Fuel Poverty Forum in Scotland and the input this group has had to the review of fuel poverty strategy and the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Program launched in April 2009. Andrew also mentioned the Community Energy Saving Program (CESP) being piloted till mid next year, and the Heat and Energy Saving Strategy (HESS) that will roll out following CESP.

For much of the conversation, Andrew mapped a visual and verbal outline of the state of play in Scotland. I regularly shared my understanding of the Tasmanian context and Andrew indicated at the end of the conversation that the opportunity to compare and contrast social responses to poverty was beneficial  to him, that is, the meeting was not a one-sided exchange. This had been my fear during many of the meetings I had participated in to date – I had taken much more than I had given. But Andrew indicated that he had enjoyed the discussion.

Andrew left me with one major lingering thought however. I had explained to him in my opening spiel that I had originally explored a study tour incorporating New Zealand, Canada and the Britain, because my web searches had indicated that interesting programs were in operation in all three corners of the globe. I also explained that I had settled on the UK because it seemed to be the one place where there is an extended history of fuel poverty campaigning and government responses. About two thirds of the way through the meeting, Andrew suggested, “If you want to see how fuel poverty is prevented, visit Scandinavian countries – much colder than here – where they just don’t have a fuel poverty problem”. We explored this in terms of high building standards, fairer income distribution, and no extremes of poverty. Maybe some of the answers to the question of how to eradicate fuel poverty are East of here. Maybe I should dedicate some time to what Norway, Sweeden and Denmark (possibily also Finland, Iceland, and the Netherlands) have been doing since WWII?

Energy People Trust

Meeting with Ken – University of Glasgow, Urban Studies Department, and Ann – ScottishPower Energy People Trust.  Meeting at Urban Studies Department, Bute Gardens, Glasgow

Using Glasgow’s underground train, I made my way to the University of Glasgow to visit Professor of Housing Economics, Ken Gibb, and Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility from ScottishPower, one of Britain’s six large energy companies. We met in Ken’s office at the Urban Studies Department.

Ken indicated that he completed some research on fuel poverty several years ago and is currently a Trustee of the ScottishPower Energy People Trust.  Ann outlined her 25 year association with fuel poverty and energy efficiency. After working as a campaigner for many years, Ann joined Scottish Power in 2005 and helped establish the Trust.

Ann’s account of the Scottish developments with regard fuel poverty, like previous accounts, began in the 80’s and was a direct response to vulnerable people paying high fuel prices, while suffering unemployment and dire heath consequences. Small local groups began campaigning, and the installation of loft insulation and security measures, paired with some landscaping, provided through training programs linked the needs of the community with the desire for urban and community regeneration/renewal. Many small business started at that time, and some are still operating today. It was from this foundation that a wider perspective on fuel poverty grew in the 90’s.

Ann provided information on the need for fuel poverty to be defined in the early days. Brenda Boardman supplied the definition of 10% of income that has become well recognized. Ann explained that campaigners strive for this to be recognized as 10% of disposable income (after tax and other expenses are made). This definition for fuel poverty found wide recognition and acceptance, and even made it into the dictionary.

In the late-1990’s campaigners were pushing for the major political parties to sign up to a target to eradicate fuel poverty. New Labour, with Tony Blair, signed up, and when they won office committed to the election promise, by designing a long term goal to eradicate fuel poverty (this was one of many intergeneration goals, concerning aged care, child poverty, and student issues). Out of these targets grew the grant schemes, and eaga. Authority was devolved to Scotland and Wales at this time, so responsibility for fuel poverty was transferred from the central administration, although Westminster kept power over benefits/tax and energy policy.

In April 2009, the new Scottish Parliament reviewed and introduced the Energy Efficiency Scheme, with four stages. First, phone information regarding suppliers and entitlements. Second, measures such as light bulbs and insulation. Third, what else is required, income maximization services. Fourth, what government can provide.

Ann outlined how Labour observed the numbers in fuel poverty halved. The number in fuel poverty dropped to 280 000 in Scotland and has since rebounded to 850 000.  Upon their election Labour tidied up the benefit system and introduced new benefits to lift real incomes, which went some way to reducing the number of people in fuel poverty (50% of drop was income related). Fuel price drops accounted for 35%, and energy efficiency measures accounted for 15%. All wiped out with the energy price hike.

As government saw the number in fuel poverty climb, they moved to place the responsibility on utility companies (who were making massive profits). Four of the six big utilities are foreign owned. The introduction of social tarrifs, trust funds, energy efficiency measures, and partnerships emerged from this point.

An argument can be put that governments have “picked all the low hanging fruit”, the easier measures such as wall and loft installation have been completed, and the harder aspects of tackling fuel poverty are now being faced. Ken indicated that social housing has had massive investment over 20 years, and grant schemes such as Warm Deal have been used in the private sector to lift housing quality substantially. The issue is what type of fuel poverty is left.

Scottish Power Energy People Trust emerged as an independent charity in 2005 – has distributed GBP6.5million in 3.5 years. Ann indicated that independent research helped establish the need for a trust. The Trust funds front line agencies through four mechanisms– money for crisis funds, funding for benefit assessment/income maximization programs, money  for energy efficiency initiatives, and funds for research. The most popular stream is benefit/income maximization, with some applicants to the fund claiming for every GBP1 injected they can assist clients to claim GBP20 (there is reportedly GBP10billion unclaimed each year). The priority for the trust is agencies working with families with children, and young people living independently for the first time. (Historically the aged have been the primary target of initiatives).  The energy regulator, ofgem, evidently reports that this Trust is an example of best practice.

A contemporary complication revolves around the pressures felt by Housing Associations/Local Authorities managing social sector housing, as tenants and others request higher standards of accommodation in new builds. This can often result in the building of newer properties with ensuites and comparable to that found in the private market (in order to compete), but it brings new issues of condensation/dampness and extractor fan installation etc. The issue is whether the costs of  additional designer elements may have been better spent on solar thermal hot water etc.

Ken indicated that with devolution of authority, came some barriers to financial management. Ken explained that the Scottish Parliament can not borrow money, where as Local Authorities have some limited borrowing capacity. Evidently, Gordon Brown (now embattled Labour Prime Minister), when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduce a Prudential Borrowing Scheme that paved the way for low cost borrowing by local authorities if they had an income stream, such as rent.

New issues. There exists some discontent concerning the benefits private sector landlords enjoy through the provision of fuel poverty programs. That is, although the tenant of the day can live more comfortably, the benefit ultimately remains with the landlord in the form of a property that has been improved. The concern mainly rests with landlords who increase the rent on the property because of the capital improvements.

I finished the session by asking Ann, “In the beginning, in the 1980’s, what did it take to build momentum around this issue?”. Ann indicated that it begins with “campaigning”, and requires sympathetic politicians to come on board. Ann explained that the “All Party Warm Homes Group” was fundamental in building momentum, and providing access to MP’s, and key players. Use journalists, and sell the message across government departments – the health benefits, the education benefits, the social inclusion benefits, the employment benefits, the infrastructure benefits (increasing life expectancy of the housing stock). This message continues to appear; small groups of committed people drive the issue initially and build public and political support to get action.

Final Leg – Glasgow

After a brief stopover in Edinburgh I drove to Glasgow, arriving at my apartment mid afternoon. Some time spent searching the web prior to leaving Australia led to the purchase of a week’s accommodation in an inner city apartment at only a portion of the cost of a hotel. The apartment provides some more space than I’ve had for a few weeks, and the cooking facilities are a welcome relief from restaurants and take-away. Immediately outside the apartment is the seven storey Tolbooth Steeple, built around 1620. Evidently this was once part of a much larger building that housed the Town Clerk’s office, the Council Hall, and the Prison. The point once marked the centre of Glasgow.

Off the Record – Chancellor of the Exchequer

A couple of people have suggested I provide an update as to the journey of my little boy – particularly following the “I gotta pee” incident at St Paul’s Cathedral. Well, there was a moment a couple of nights ago when the “make-it-up-as-you-go-along-strategy-for-parenting” came up blank. I had a meeting in the middle of the day, and then we’d all travelled for several hours by car before checking in to the hotel in the early evening. Now since leaving London two weeks ago we’ve been staying in very basic hotel rooms, with no cooking facilities, not even a fridge. This has meant two weeks of ‘back to back’ eating “out”, and that can present challenges for five year old “fussy eaters”. In the absence of any energy to go searching for another “family friendly” restaurant that serves anything with copious amounts of tomato sauce, we ventured down to the hotel’s open buffet hoping to find something nutritious with sauce.  I then spent the best part of the next hour trying to encourage my little boy to eat something – anything – preferable something filling so that at bed time I wouldn’t hear the “I’m hungry” call, which more often than not is a cleverly designed strategy to delay the onset of sleep. But I had noticed that he hadn’t eaten much all day, and I was practically offering to do the chewing for him, if he’d eat something. Frustrated at my lack of success, I wandered off and approached the cashier to pay for the meals, “Can I pay for two adults and one child, please”. The cashier smiled, took my GBP30 pounds, and then gave me too much change back. Owning up immediately and offering some money back, she said, “It’s okay, the young’en didn’t eat much”. At the time I was unable to see the kind gesture for what it was and considered bleating out, “Oh, you think!”. But before I had the chance to be unnecessarily sarcastic, a man, who later identified himself as an Indian, jumped the payment queue and began kissing the forehead of my child, who had snuck up  behind me and was now standing in my shadow. I was not sure how to react, so I stood there in stunned silence, as the man, with an incredibly thick Indian accent, explained that my little man was a “beautiful child, and that kids in his country are incredibly poor” – well that is what I think he said, between more kisses to my kid’s forehead, who was taking it all in his stride. In fact, nothing much worries him, the complete opposite to his highly strung male guardian. I was bordering on intervening when the situation became even more surreal. The Indian man pulled out his wallet and started to present money to my little man, who took it with both hands like Dicken’s “Oliver”. Still stunned into silence by what was happening, I observed a waiter walk by and comment, “Oh, he gets bigger tips than I do!”. At that point, I conjured up a smile and indicated to the kind man that he did not need to do that, and gestured for the money to be handed back. But my little man pocketed it, said thank you, and inspired the Indian to begin again, finding more notes and words of praise. My partner engaged the man in conversation and the incident was eventually dissolved- with the man refusing to take his money back.

On the way back to the hotel room, I was trying to digest what had just unfolded, but my thoughts were interrupted when my little fella pulled the notes out of his pocket and declared that they were not “English pounds”. Looking closely at his new found riches, I spotted George Washington’s head and worked out that they were American one dollar bills. Now prior to our arrival in the UK my child had not shown any interest in currencies of any kind, but he has obviously watched all the transactions that we have made in the UK to declare, “I can’t spend these here. Will you buy them off me?” I looked at the little international merchant in the making, and quipped “at what exchange rate?”. “Umm, ten pounds”, he spouted enthusiastically. I raised my eyebrows, his Mum laughed, “You asked for it”, and now I’m the proud owner of three US dollars.

Off the Record – Computerlessness

This week has been tricky– time compression and computerlessness have compounded hotel fatigue. Newcastle is a hot spot with regard to fuel poverty programs and activities, and I’ve tried to get around as many different people and organizations as I could manage in a short space of time. Managing more than one appointment each day can be difficult, particularly if each session lasts a couple of hours, and there is travel to and from each unfamiliar location. I attempted multiple appointments each day for three days in Newcastle, and it was complicated by technological issues, namely an uncooperative sat-nav, and more seriously, a poorly timed computer failure. With regard to the latter, I melted the little white computer’s motherboard – well, that is what the British tech-guru diagnosed. Does Anglicare IT Helpdesk do outreach to England?

I had anticipated data loss, and was conscious of backing up (semi)regularly, but I did not have a plan for irreversible computer failure. The computer has been essential in typing notes, staying in contact with contacts here in the UK, following up web links suggested in the course of meetings, and to plan travel routes. Without the computer I was flying blind, and my head was exploding with notes that wanted to get out onto a screen. Use pen and paper you say? Well that is the problem. I have truly terrible hand writing and my notes from each session are scribbles that I have to “write up” before I forget what each of the dots and dashes and wiggles represent. Good luck to those to whom I’ve sent a postcard. I learned a long time ago to write straight to a word processor, and now without one I was stuck.

In desperation, I headed to a shopping mall and used the internet lounge to update notes simply by emailing them to myself. It is amazing what waffle you can write when the pay-by-the-half-hour computer tells you that you have 120 seconds to go before your money expires.  I eventually found a more permanent solution to my computer issue, and I can now write into the wee hours…

Newcastle City Council – Energy Directorate

Kate, Annette, Simon – Newcastle City Council. Meeting at City Council Energy Directorate Office, Archbold Terrace, Newcastle Upon Tyne

The sat-nav sold me up the river this morning, directing me to a building 3+km away from my desired destination. After parking and walking with the sat-nav for a while I entered the foyer of a building that I knew was not the council office, I asked the guy on reception if I was at the council, and he opened with “you were using a sat nav weren’t you? Don’t know what is going on, but we always get people showing up here”. He gave me a map, and pointed me in the correct direction. Watching the rain tumble down I rang Kate to let her know I was running late but I was on my way. I then caught a taxi across town, only to get to the reception area of the Civic Building and be told that I was still 15 minutes walk away from the right building. This was the first time in three weeks I felt like pulling the pin early. It was raining, I was saturated, I had a 2.5 hour drive immediately after the meeting, I was late and still lost. I stood for a minute under some shelter and weighed up my options. I called Kate, for a second time, to indicate I was still coming. When I eventually found my meeting point I was bewildered to find I was back in the same building complex as my meeting with eaga on Tuesday. Gotta laugh. I tracked down Kate, and apologized for looking like a drowned rat and being an hour late.

Annette, Simon and Kate introduced themselves and their respective roles. I discussed my study trip and outlined who I had spoken too during the week. All heads around the table nodded as I reeled off the names of several well known and respected members of Newcastle fuel poverty network. The Newcastle Council trio then set out to fill in some of my knowledge gaps.

Education programs. Kate shared information on the “Enviro-Schools” programs, and the role she plays working with young people; building awareness of energy efficiency issues and encouraging students to take an interest now and in the future. Kate provided information on a variety of programs. The area also holds a Solar Car Challenge annually.

Health through Warmth. Annette spoke keenly of the Health through Warmth program. One of the country’s leading utilities, npower, provides GBP100 000 annually for this program targeted at those with ill health who would benefit from assistance. The program has trained 600 allied health and “first to know” practitioners, and has received 14000 referrals in 9 years. Annette also spoke about additional aspects of the telecare program that I was introduced to by John at Your Homes Newcastle earlier in the week. I was initially stuggling to make the connection with aspects of telecare and fuel poverty, but Annette was explained how the schemes are complimentary, and Telecare services support people by providing rapid response that may reduce ill health, health costs, and the costs to the individual, thereby increasing their disposable income, leaving them more to spend, including on fuel.

Establishing baseline data. I indicated to Simon that I was unaware of any Tasmanian data set comparable to the English House Condition Survey (this survey provides basic information on the quality of all housing stock). Simon confirmed that it would be the place to start, without a baseline measure it is difficult to prioritise and set goals, nor cost any retrofitting or refurbishment plans. Simon also provided some information on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that feeds into planning and reporting on the impact of programs.

Reporting. National Indicators. Newcastle City Council has taken on the task of reporting on National Indicator 187 (fuel poverty). Not all local authorities have gone down this path, but Newcastle is working actively on the issue and reports on the indicator.

The meeting wrapped up at 2.30. I walked the 30 minutes back to the car,  turned the air-conditioning on to hot, and set out for the final leg of the study tour. In less than an hour I was across the Scottish border, warm and dry.

National Energy Action (NEA) Newcastle

Meeting with Ann-Marie, David, Denise, and Peter – National Energy Action (NEA). Meeting at NEA, Newcastle Upon Tyne

You will recall that I had met Helen from NEA in Cardiff, and since that time I was looking forward to visiting NEA in Newcastle. I had communicated with Ann-Marie numerous times in the lead up to the appointment, and she met me at NEA reception at 11.30.

We wandered up several flights of stairs to a meeting room and we began our chat. Over the course of the meeting, David from the research division, Denise from the education section, and Peter from policy joined in.

NEA Structure. Ann-Marie explained that NEA has four major divisions: “Operations” including projects of which she is part. “Communications”, including press, public relations, business supporters, library and research team. ”Business development”, including education and training. And “Support services” including human resources and finance.

Projects. Sitting within the operations division, projects include the testing of new and emerging technologies, such as air source heat pumps, biomass, solar thermal. The focus is not on performance for all per se, rather the testing tries to establish what impact the technology would have on the most vulnerable and their homes.

Communications. David explained that his division included profile and message development and campaigning, particularly to Westminster, MP’s and Ministers. NEA receives 40-50% of its funding from UK government department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The policy and research recommendations upon which they are based are focused on outcomes.  That is, NEA strives to document robust recommendations, that have been evaluated in advance, and then provide the foundation upon which to campaign. David also explained that some research has been completed in the North East of England that details the economic impact of fuel poverty mitigation strategies. Both job numbers and economy have grown. I indicated Australian and Tasmania governments are focused on evidence based initiatives. David agreed to locate the reports and forward on.

NEA’s Wish List. Ann-Marie and Peter spoke to many of the issues on their Top Ten list. One particular area of discussion was the call for a single energy efficiency scheme, given the range and complexity of grants and programs currently available. This led to a discussion on the widely admired (un-means tested) Winter Fuel Payments to all those over 60. Peter reiterated the origin of much of the fuel poverty movement, and I indicated that excess winter deaths may not be as dramatic in Tasmania, but morbidity and suffering is likely to be underestimated, and the association with cold damp homes may not be widely acknowledged. We discussed the tensions that may exist between social justice and environmental campaigns, and agreed that the arguments in favour of equality need to be injected into the climate change debate.

Campaigning. We engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding campaigns. Peter indicated that excess winter deaths was a major headline grabber and morbidity was a major issue in terms of health system costs that could be greatly reduced. Ann-Marie indicated that the health professions are very focused on evidence and large scale epidemiological studies are needed but would only confirm what is already known – cold homes costs lives and make people ill – the costs of the expensive studies are better sought for the improvement of people’s homes.  Ann-Marie reinforced the idea of synergies between partners, and argued in favour of “pitching” arguments carefully depending on the audience. NEA has experts in all fields and are able to call on these people to provide information depending on which audience is being engaged. Ultimately the same goal for NEA stands, as it has for almost 30 years, “amplify the voice of vulnerable households”.

Education. Denise shared with me some of the training program that NEA delivers across the North East. Some courses have exams and result in a qualification, others are refresher courses or provide entry level information provision about fuel poverty, grants and programs, and energy advice. A new program is being developed to assist “debt adviser” to understand more fully the nature of fuel poverty, negotiating with utilities, and assisting people to better manage their energy use so as to minimize their future bills.

Takeaways. Fuel poverty statistics in England up to April 2009. NEA’s Fuel Poverty Top Ten wish list  for government. An outline of research projects for 09-10, and training course outlines.

At 1.15, the meeting wound up, I thanked everyone for their contributions and Ann-Marie led me down the stairs to the reception area. Standing near the door I pointed to the Fuel Poverty Declaration and Ann-Marie explained the origin of the regional partnership commitment (signed by local councils, service provides, installers, and fuel poverty campaigners). I asked for a copy, and Ann-Marie passed me a report that incorporated the Declaration and other key information.