Action on fuel poverty and cold homes across London Tackling fuel poverty: integrated approaches to health, energy & social justice 10 December 2013 Jane Landon Deputy CEO, UK Health Forum

Presentation outline  About the UK Health Forum  Healthy Places: A tool for local action  UKHF interest in fuel poverty & health  Local evidence needs – fuel poverty  The fuel poverty & health toolkit bundle

UK Health Forum Introductions  A charitable alliance of 70 national public and professional organisations – established mid-1980s  Formerly the National Heart Forum  Funded through grants and contracts 1.Policy research, development & advocacy 2.Modelling & forecasting 3.Information provision & research

Healthy Places - A tool for local action

Themes  Access to healthy food  Active communities  Enable active travel  Alcohol control  Coming soon: Healthy Housing Key Issues Preserving green space, street play, local alcohol licensing and street food vendors New: Fuel poverty Take Action: Regulatory & policy options Case Studies: What are other communities already doing? Members’ Area: Facilitating cross-sector communication

Fuel poverty & health  In 2003, the National Heart Forum produced Fuel Poverty & Health: A toolkit for primary care organisations, and public health and primary care professionals.  In summer 2013, UKHF undertook an information needs assessment of Healthy Places.  Questions on topics of fuel poverty and housing were included in the survey of Healthy Places and UK Health Forum networks to gauge interest.

Barriers to using evidence “[I find it difficult] accessing academic papers (I don’t have easy access to academic databases). Also, I often find health research difficult to comprehend (I don’t have a medical background).” “I would like more access to case studies of what works and the detail of how to make it work. Biggest barrier is time constraints and information overload.” “[ I find a] lack of evidence around the health impacts of energy efficiency measures.” “There is a lot of evidence out there, so it is [about] trying to get to quality and relevant material, that is not too technical… e.g. some evaluation reports I have read.” Source: Healthy Places INA 2013 – Comparison of Groups. UK Health Forum. Full summary can be found at:

Fuel Poverty & Health Toolkit The toolkit ‘bundle’ will live on the Fuel Poverty page under the Healthy Housing theme:  Fuel poverty & health toolkit document (pdf available for download)  Supplementary documents (pdfs available for download) – flexible  ‘Living list’ of resources & signposts – with active links, easy to update  Case studies – fuel poverty specific within the Healthy Places directory  Appropriate regulatory options  Fuel poverty specific news feed - members resources

Fuel Poverty & Health Toolkit The document will highlight the latest evidence and the current policy framework, including:  An introduction to fuel poverty  The effects of fuel poverty and cold homes on health and well-being  The national and local policy framework  The role of Health & Well-being Boards, public health teams and health professionals

Fuel Poverty & Health Toolkit The document will highlight the latest evidence and the current policy framework, including:  An introduction to fuel poverty  The effects of fuel poverty and cold homes on health and well-being  The national and local policy framework  The role of Health & Well-being Boards, public health teams and health professionals Due December 2013 at

Fuel Poverty & Health Toolkit Resources & signposts  Cold Weather Plan for England 2013 (PHE)  LGA guidance of fuel poverty for local authorities  Safe & Healthy Housing Unit – University of Warwick  The UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2013 (NEA)  Winter Wrapped Up (Age UK) Case studies  Islington SHINE  Worthing Homes RELISH Regulatory options  Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (funding for improvements to housing)

Thank you Healthy Places Partners: