The introduction of the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) in RIIO-2 has provided us with the flexibility to deliver an even greater positive impact to our customers and the communities we serve.
Our gas network covers some of the most deprived areas in the UK, and the situation is worsening as the cost of living increases and energy prices hit record levels. We enter thousands of customers’ homes every single day and have trained all our front-line colleagues to be able to spot signs of vulnerability, including living in fuel poverty, empowering them to offer a range of support through the VCMA funded initiatives that we have established.
Through our vulnerability strategy we have developed a suite of commitments in four key priority areas. Each of our VCMA projects contributes towards the delivery of these commitments, making positive differences to the lives of our customers through the interventions that we make.
We have a responsibility to ensure that the needs of our customers are understood and acted upon in a respectful and relevant way. We must find effective ways to identify our customers needs and understand the many situations that can lead to vulnerability across the communities we serve.
By 2026, we will have direct conversations with over four million of our customers to inform them of our Priority Services Register, which will ensure that they are provided with tailored services to meet their needs
Form over 80 strategic programme and project partnerships that will help to extend our reach and positive social impact.
Obtain and maintain the British Standard BS ISO 22458:2022.
Healthy Homes Solutions Extension 2023 - 2024
RAD – Royal Association for Deaf People
Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) Stay Safe, Warm & Well - Winter 2023
Crunch – Digital Priority Services Register (PSR) Campaign
Mental Health UK – Energy Safeguarding and tackling fuel poverty for people with Mental Health
Safe and Warm: Providing a Critical Lifeline to Dialysis Patients Across the UK
We continue to raise awareness of the dangers through several innovative programmes, and intervene to reduce the risks from, this colourless, odourless toxic gas that can escape from poorly maintained flues and appliances.
By 2026, we will provide up to 500,000 free CO alarms to customers living in vulnerable situations and without the means to buy their own.
Lead nationwide education and awareness campaigns helping millions of customers reduce their risk of harm.
Educate 400,000 of those most at risk to the dangers of CO.
Disabled Community CO Research - Scope
Gas Safe Charity – Think CO App development
Policy Connect - Carbon Monoxide Safe 4 Summer - public awareness campaign
Policy Connect/APPCOG - Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (COAW) Campaign
SP Energy Networks Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide awareness Pilot
We focus on whole home interventions tailored to the needs of each household, to provide practical and long-lasting affordability assistance to help customers living in fuel poverty.
By 2026, we will reach over three million customers with interventions to help them out of fuel poverty of which
Fund 10,000 direct interventions to improve the energy efficiency of customers’ homes through the Cadent Foundation.
Blackpool Coastal Housing - Warm and Healthy Homes caseworker
Harvey Girls "Be well, Be energy fit"
Marches Energy Action home visits
Mobile Warm Hubs (Warwickshire and Solihull)
Turn2Us benefits calculator and online grants search
Centre for Warmth - Harpurhey (Manchester)
Centre for Warmth - Fazakerley Community Federation (one year pilot)
Centre for Warmth - Halton Brook/ Palace Fields Community Centre(s) (one year pilot)
Centre for Warmth - Gamesley G52
Centre for Warmth - Dengie Village Friends (Essex)
Age Concern Central Lancashire partnership
Blackpool Coastal Housing - Warm and Healthy Homes caseworker (12-month project extension)
Citizens Advice Essex Casework Project
Fuel Poverty Partner Ecosystem - phase one
Marches Energy Agency Home Energy Assessment Tool (HEAT) Application
Marches Energy Agency home visits - (two year extension)
Mobile Warm Hubs and Winter Warm Hubs (extension)
The Harvey Girls "Be well, Be energy fit" (extension)
Turn2us online benefits calculator and grants search (extension)
Warm, Optimistic, Well (WOW) Partnership
Centre for Warmth - Warmer Nights
Centre for Warmth - Cortonwood Comeback Centre
Centre for Warmth - ISRAAC Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - St James' Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Gladstone Park Community Centre "Here 2 Help"
Centre for Warmth - Bonny Downs Community Association
Centre for Warmth - Southall Community Alliance
Centre For Warmth - St Hilda's Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Sufra Food Bank and Kitchen
Centre For Warmth - Waltham Forest
Centre for Warmth - Back O'th Moss Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Bangladesh Association & Community Project (BACP)
Centre for Warmth - Bangor Street Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Claremont Community Centre
Centre For Warmth - Deeplish Community Centre
Centre For Warmth - Fazakerley Community Federation (extension)
Centre for Warmth - Halton Brook/ Palace Fields Community Centre(s) extension)
Centre for Warmth - Harphurhey neignbourhood (extension)
Centre for Warmth - Hyde Association Community Project
Centre for Warmth - Ingol and Tanterton Community Trust (Intact)
Centre for Warmth - L30 Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - UKEFF (UK Education & Faith Foundation)
Centre For Warmth - Brandwood Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Foleshill Community Centre
Centres for Warmth - Ronkswood Hub
Marie Curie - energy safeguarding and fuel poverty
MyBnk - financial inclusion and energy safeguarding school's programme
Age Concern Herefordshire & Worcestershire
Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN)
Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts-Derbyshire 65+ Project
IE Hub – Digital in-depth support
Direct Access to Wellbeing Services -DAWS Birmingham Community Health Care Foundation Trust Charity
Making Every Conversation Count
Solihull Citizens Advice & Colebridge trust advice service
YMCA Safe and Well Communities
Citizens Advice North Warwickshire
Home-Start Centres for Warmth - Warm Spaces, Friendly Faces
Centre for Warmth - Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Centre for Warmth - Ladybrook Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - The Phoenix Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - The Rock Foundation Community Hub Grimsby
Centre for Warmth - Broomhall Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Communities 1st
Centre for Warmth - East Suffolk Council
Centre for Warmth - Gladstone Park Community Centre extension
Centre for Warmth - Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service
Centre for Warmth - The Witham Hub - Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Bonny Downs Community Association (extension)
Centre for Warmth - Disablement Association of Barking & Dagenham (DABD)
Centre for Warmth - Slough Council for Voluntary Service
Centre for Warmth - Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS)
Centre for Warmth - Back O’th Moss extension
Centre for Warmth - Bangladesh Association & Community Project (BACP) extension
Centre for Warmth - Bolton Lads and Girls Club
Centre for Warmth - Cheshire West Voluntary Action
Centre for Warmth - Inspire, Chorley Youth Zone
Centre for Warmth - Peoples Pantry, Ellesmere Port
Centre for Warmth – Sandon House Community Centre
Centre for Warmth - Warrington Borough Council
Centre for Warmth - Birmingham Warm Welcome
Warm and Safe Homes – National Extension 2023 - 2025
Warm Homes Network - Fuel-poverty partner ecosystem 2023/24 (Birmingham and Cumbria pilots)
Centre for Warmth - Harpurhey (Manchester)
We continue to explore how we go beyond the minimum standards of service and work with a range of partners to ensure we never leave a customer vulnerable without gas.
By 2026, we will refer 65,000 households to expert partners for support with fully funded interventions including the replacement, repair or service of boilers and appliances.
Train our front-line colleagues to spot signs of vulnerability and refer customers in vulnerable situations to trained third parties for fully funded and tailored interventions
Our previous company and collaborative reports can be found here and include detail of the projects we have funded using the VCMA.