Mark Wild
An event to promote the work of national fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) has been supported by SGN this week.
Last night, 150 guests attended their Members’ Reception in the House of Lords, which was hosted by The Rt Hon. The Lord Whitty, the organisation’s vice-president.
The SGN-sponsored reception aimed to raise awareness of the organisation's activities and encourage support from both National Energy Action members and politicians. We are a long established supporter of the charity and fund their Warm and Safer Homes (WASH) advice service.
Those who attended included MPs, Government officials, key representatives from the energy sector, local authorities, housing associations and private sector supporters of National Energy Action.
The charity campaigns to end fuel poverty so that everyone can afford to live in a warm, healthy and safe home. Since the early 1980s, their actions have brought real social change, enabling millions of people to access grants and assistance. Their efforts have also ensured that fuel poverty is now firmly on the public policy agenda.
However, during the cost of living and energy crisis, their work to ensure that support reaches households which are most in need has never been more important.
Tough winter to come
Addressing the guests, National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer welcomed the support which has been provided by Government to help offset the worst impact of the crisis but underlined how this coming winter will continue to be tough for millions of households. More targeted and longer lasting forms of support, including a new social energy tariff and energy efficiency investment, have to be provided too, he said.
"For over 40 years National Energy Action has worked towards ending fuel poverty and in an energy crisis our work has never been needed more. But we don’t – and have never – worked alone. Everything we do is in partnership with other charities, with local authorities, regulators and energy companies like SGN. They help us reach the hard to reach, those most in need, and get them the help they desperately need."
In his address, our Chief Executive Officer Mark Wild OBE highlighted the work that the SGN team has undertaken collaboratively with partner organisations, delivering crisis support for households in fuel poverty.
Mark said: “We believe everyone deserves to stay safe and warm all year round, and we understand that getting help to those who need it most is only possible through impactful and local partnerships.
“All of us at SGN recognise the strain people are under right now, which is why this support is more vital than ever to help households and families in need.
“Organisations such as National Energy Action and many others at a local, grassroots level are often best placed to provide support to communities because they already understand local customer needs and can help get support to them more quickly.”
Mark Wild and Adam Scorer
