New research published today into the impact of the Cadent Foundation funded Reactive Response scheme
Today, new research conducted by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action shows how a pioneering partnership with the Cadent Foundation has kept 1,467 households safe, while preventing them from falling into debt – at a time when the energy crisis has taken hold.
The Reactive Responseprogramme supports vulnerable customers who have had their gas supply disconnected on safety grounds by a Cadent engineer and are unable to afford the repair costs, potentially leaving families with no heating, hot water, or means of cooking. Reactive Response enables Cadent engineers to make an immediate referral to National Energy Action to resolve the issue by requesting important funding, helping customers to remain warm and well at home after their supply is reinstated.
An independent evaluation of the Cadent Foundation funded Reactive Response scheme, has found so far the scheme has:
Adam Scorer, chief executive National Energy Action, says:
From April 7.5 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, according to our figures. When there is a problem customers may have to be disconnected from the gas supply for safety. While some can afford to fix the problem, those in fuel poverty could have been left off supply – cold and desperate. The Reactive Response programme means we can identify those who need urgent help and with Cadent we can get them reconnected as soon as possible so they can get the lights and heat back on.
As part of the analysis on the Reactive Response scheme, three recommendations have been outlined by the charity:
Julia Dwyer, Cadent Foundation Director, said: Supporting people out of fuel poverty is one of the fundamental objectives of the Cadent Foundation and the Reactive Response scheme offers an innovative new approach to tackling a growing problem. This is the first initiative of its kind within the energy industry and its impact on vulnerable customers has already been phenomenal.
A referral from a Cadent engineer to National Energy Action can be the key to re-establishing a safe and effective heating system in the home of a vulnerable person.
By helping people to achieve affordable warmth, the Reactive Response scheme is reducing the number of households likely to be in fuel poverty, improving health and wellbeing and consequently, reducing demand on primary health care services. There has also been a significant impact on Cadent frontline staff. By referring a customer for assistance, engineers can leave knowing that the needs are being taken care of, giving them peace of mind and job satisfaction.
Our own analysis is clearly demonstrating an increasing requirement for this kind of service and so we hope that this initiative will become standard business practice across the entire utility sector, providing a blueprint that all gas and electric distribution networks can replicate to support vulnerable customers.
