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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

The price of heating oil has already risen sharply. Expect gas and electricity to be next.

Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Need to improve consumer protections and ensure priority access for vulnerable households, while wider efforts made to reduce our dependence and make homes much warmer, greener and healthier. In meantime, welcome support to help those in crisis get through today, tomorrow, next week.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Rural households often first and hardest hit. Unregulated off-gas fuels, like oil and LPG, not protected by a price cap. Face high upfront costs, having to purchase 100s of litres usually at £100s at a time, while already in deep difficulty.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

The Fuel Bank Foundation - supported by Welsh Govt - is also increasing the minimum delivery support through its Heat Fund in Wales for those in crisis.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Welsh Govt has confirmed that while it develops options as to how best to provide support in 2026/27, it's acted now to temporarily increase emergency support via its Discretionary Assistance Fund to £750 per award (and enabled households to apply twice in a rolling 12-month period).

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

*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...

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Alongside that, we continue to call on Ofgem/UK Govt for meaningful debt relief *and* reforms that make energy genuinely affordable. One without the other may see families fall straight back into hardship.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Wales should receive a sizeable amount in consequential funding. A key question here - especially ahead of the Senedd election - is whether that funding will be fully committed to the same mission: to make the homes of those most in need warmer, greener, healthier places to live?

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

A fair portion of the 'savings' come from ending ECO - a programme that aimed to help vulnerable households permanently reduce bills by improving the efficiency of their home. Now the UK Govt has a £15bn Warm Homes Plan, with around a third for grants for low-income households.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

After 5 years of punishing prices, more than 4 in 5 low-income households in Wales are living in fuel poverty - many carrying significant debt just from trying to stay warm and keep the lights on. A small cut - while welcome - doesn't fix that. And can't be mistaken for a solution.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

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.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

EPC reform coming soon, too. Will be interesting to see what a new EPC ‘C’ looks like. And whether any uncertainty in the meantime and commitment to grandfathering (so that properties will remain compliant even when EPC measurements change) will motivate landlords into early action… More to come!

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Target of ‘EPC C’ by Oct 2030, subject to valid exemptions and £10k spending cap for landlords. Primary ‘fabric’ metric, plus one of two secondary ‘heat’ or ‘smart’ metrics at landlord’s discretion. Enforcement crucial, as ever. Fines of up to £30k per property, per breach.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

In the meantime, worth not losing sight of the role and importance of higher MEES in the PRS – which seems to be flying under radar somewhat. These are some of the leakiest homes, often occupied by some of the most vulnerable households, which cannot be kept warm at any reasonable cost.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

More work needs to be done to ensure warmer, energy efficient homes are felt by fuel poor households. And this is a key part of a crucial opportunity to transform the coldest, dampest homes, improve public health, and permanently reduce bills and carbon.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Senedd elections are round the corner. While we await clarity, we would like to see the next Welsh Government spend the full yield of this funding allocation to the same aims, at least matching the ambition set by the UK Government – to tackle fuel poverty, cut bills, and accelerate to net zero.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Seems c.£1.1bn consequentials for devolved nations, but TBD exactly how much each will receive. In part, b/c appears decisions still to be made re. reach of loan scheme e.g. And also b/c adjustments may first need to be made to compensate for fact Wales is part of BUS, while Scot and NI are not?

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Plan includes: *grant funding for low-income h'holds (Eng) *expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Eng+Wales) *loans for those who can afford them (TBC) *higher minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented properties (Eng+Wales) *new Warm Homes Agency to help drive delivery and advice (TBC)

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Not yet clear though, what the exact implications for Wales (and other devolved nations) are – incl. what will be available here, and what will be subject to Barnett consequential for the next Welsh Government to spend.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Firstly, fair to say, plan represents significant step forward on UK’s path to cleaner heating, warmer homes, and reduced levels of fuel poverty. Comprises a mix of grants and loans, pragmatic delivery, and improved standards for rented properties, which many welcome.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

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

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

'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.

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 09/06/2025

'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.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

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.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

NB: Standing charges from 1 July 2025: North Wales & Mersey: £357/year South Wales: £290/year London: £270/year

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

The rates we pay in Wales remain higher, also. What will cost, on average, £1,720 by direct debit across GB, costs £1,820 in north Wales (£100 higher) and £1,745 in south Wales. The 1st and 3rd most expensive regions throughout GB, respectively.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

'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.

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

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.

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

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.

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

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...

business.senedd.wales

Fuel Poverty in Wales | Senedd

Senedd

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

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...

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Look at that Welsh sunshine! ☀️

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 04/03/2025

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

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 01/03/2025

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

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

NB: Standing charges from 1 April 2025: North Wales & Mersey: £374/year South Wales: £309/year London: £289/year

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Comes alongside welcome plans to accelerate a debt relief scheme from Ofgem too. More on that in due course. Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Programme budget remains at £37.5m for 2025/26. If you're eligible, it can make a big difference. We will need to ramp up scale.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Today, UK Govt has announced plans to expand the Warm Home Discount for next winter to *all* households in receipt of means-tested benefits. Broader, easier to access, and less complex than before. Albeit still only £150 (having only risen £10 in a decade). bsky.app/profile/nea-...

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Things don't have to be this way. We need enduring solutions to this systemic problem. Targeted bill support to make energy affordable for those most in need. A debt relief scheme to provide a fresh start. And a Warm Homes Programme deep enough to make their homes warm, healthy places to live.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Like @citizensadvice.bsky.social Cymru, our insights indicate some fare worse than others too - especially low-income households, disabled, and those with long-term health conditions. Older households more likely to ration. Younger more likely to fall into debt.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Few things are more essential than heat and power. Yet, people continue to ration their heating, fall into record levels of energy debt, and go without everyday necessities. @nea-cymru.bsky.social's new polling with YouGov shows:

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Welsh Govt’s estimates highlight up to 98% of low-income households in Wales could be in #FuelPoverty, as of April 2022 when average prices were £2,000 across GB. Based on Ofgem’s previous way of working (used at time), April 2025’s average of £1,849 is actually £1,938. Only marginally lower now.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

From April: £1,849 per year by direct debit. £1,803 by prepay. £1,969 by standard credit. As ever, the rates we pay in Wales are higher too. What costs, on average, £1,849 by direct debit across GB, costs £1,947 (!) in north Wales and £1,873 in south Wales. 1st and 3rd most expensive regions.

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

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.

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National Energy Action Cymru @nea-cymru.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

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)

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Ben Saltmarsh @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

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...

bbc.co.uk

Backlash over energy standing charges shake-up

Charities and energy providers have criticised plans to change the way standing charges on gas and electricity bills are paid.

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 18/02/2025

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: buff.ly/4i2IRB0

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 18/02/2025

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.'

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National Energy Action @nea.org.uk · 14/02/2025

'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)

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