Health of the Nation: research into health-related fuel poverty schemes

Our latest research report is now available for download!

The 'Health of the Nation' research project looked at health-related fuel poverty schemes, particularly those run at a local level.

We were keen to find out more about how schemes are designed and managed, what do they set out to achieve, how are they targeted, the services they offer and the impacts they deliver. We were looking for success factors which would provide a steer into the types of schemes and resources that can really have an impact in addressing fuel poverty and public health. We also wanted to explore cost effectiveness in fuel poverty referral schemes, something which has often been hard to pin down but is proving ever more important in times of diminishing public resources.

The research was made possible by a grant from Eaga Charitable Trust, who continue to do great work funding much-needed research into fuel poverty and its impacts. We were also delighted to work with Lewisham Council in designing and delivering the research project.

There are three outputs from the work we’ve done, all of which can be downloaded from the Eaga Charitable Trust website at the links below:

• Final report – this sets out the methodology, findings and conclusions from our research and provides the context for the other, more practical pieces of work we’ve developed
• Policy makers guidance – given there are many implications for policy makers across the spectrum, from health to carbon, we put together a briefer report aimed at drawing out the key areas and issues for them to focus on
• Guidance for fuel poverty scheme managers – this is a more hands-on piece of work which is designed to guide practitioners through the process of designing and delivering schemes.  It is intended to be used by people who have already set up and run schemes, as well as for people who have never previously run such a scheme

We'd welcome your feedback on the research: how does it square with your own experiences? What ideas and insights do you find most valuable? Do you have additional data that could enhance our work?  Please do get in touch - email liz.warren@se-2.co.uk or tweet us @se2limited with your thoughts!

Photo: Rui Vieira/PA