The third round of the Merseyside Collective Switch has just closed and organisers are thrilled to announce that a further £143,054 has been saved by local residents switching to a better energy tariff through the scheme.

This latest round brings the total saved by Merseyside householders to £424,416.

Over 2,400 people took part in the latest Collective Switch. Those who switched saved an average of £203 a year on their energy bills. One Merseyside resident saved £825 and a significant number of people were able to save over £500 a year.

The Switch Together, Save Together scheme is organised by local charity, Energy Projects Plus, together with the six Merseyside local authorities. It works by inviting people to register their interest in the scheme, then using collective buying power to negotiate cheaper tariffs from energy suppliers.

E.on offered two tariffs exclusive to the collective switch, which were the cheapest on the market for both Monthly Direct Debit and Payment on Receipt of Bill customers. The offers tariffs were both fixed, protecting customers from any price rises until September 2015. Householders were also able to switch to other existing tariffs through the scheme.

Mrs Dorothy Hardcastle from Liverpool took part in the collective switch and saved £348 a year on her energy bills. She said: “I had put off switching my tariff, but the collective switch made it really easy. I was provided with support every step of the way, and I am delighted to be saving such a large amount on my energy bills”.

Ellie Abernethy, Project Manager at Energy Projects Plus said, “We are really pleased with the results of the collective switch. It’s great that so many people took part and are making such significant savings at a time when household budgets are under increasing pressure. The £424,000 total savings is money put back into the local economy, so it’s a good thing for Merseyside too”.

Energy Projects Plus are currently running a ‘Switch Now’ campaign in partnership with the six Merseyside local authorities. The campaign encourages householders to explore if switching tariffs could save them money now, rather than waiting for the next collective switch. The same level of help and advice is available as during the collective switch to help make switching easier.

Householders can find out more about switching supplier by visiting www.LCRenergyswitch.co.uk or by calling the local Save Energy Advice Line on 0800 043 0151.

Energy Projects Plus hosted its 2^nd annual Merseyside Fuel Poverty Conference at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday 1st October 2014.

The conference was attended by 70 delegates who heard from a mix of great speakers, experts in their respective fields:

• Alan Clifford, Fuel Poverty Strategy Lead, Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC)
• Rachel Wookey, Environmental Public Health Scientist, Public Health England
• Steve Lauri, Business Development Account Manager, Energy Efficiency, E.ON UK
• Ed Matthew, Director, Energy Bill Revolution
• Ed Kingsley, Principal Housing Strategy Officer, Wirral Council

The primary aim of the conference was to bring together key stakeholders in the fight against fuel poverty, which continues to be a significant issue across Merseyside, creating the opportunity to influence local and national plans as they are being developed.

The conference was attended by a cross-section of stakeholders that included local authorities, utilities, housing providers, health sector, charities, social enterprises, and private businesses.

Alan Clifford, from DECC, said

“It was great to be invited and meet so many people clearly concerned about fuel poverty, and wanting to help make a difference. It was also good to hear so many ideas being generated and nuggets of insight and expertise being shared. As I said, the forthcoming Strategy is just one step in the process, and we look forward to continuing to work with you – formally and informally – as we shape the next generation of fuel poverty policies.”            

Following the morning plenary session, delegates participated in highly interactive discussions to share opinions on a response to some key questions asked by the Government’s consultation on their proposed fuel poverty strategy.

Feedback from delegates has been extremely positive with overwhelming confirmation of the value of the conference. One delegate commented,

“It brings expertise together and allows us to meet others and share ideas and information”

Building on the positive feedback from the conference we intend hosting the 3^rd annual conference in early Autumn 2015, enabling us to build it around emerging themes of the new Government and the published fuel poverty strategy.

For more information on the event contact:

Ellie Abernethy

Project Manager 0151 637 3686

ellie.abernethy@epplus.org

Energy Projects Plus’ CEO, Peter Owen, opened the conference, which was attended by over
70 delegates from local authorities, utilities, housing providers, health sector, charities, social enterprises, and private businesses.

First to speak was Rachel Wookey, Environmental Public Health Scientist from Public Health England,
who spoke about the link between Public Health and Fuel Poverty.
Rachel Wookey presentation

Alan Clifford, Fuel Poverty Strategy Lead, Department of Energy & Climate Change spoke on
“Cutting the cost of keeping warm: preparing for a Government Strategy for fuel poverty”
Alan Clifford presentation

Ed Kingsley from Wirral Borough Council spoke
on the “The developing role of Local Authorities”
Ed Kingsley presentation

Ed Matthew, Director of the Energy Bill Revolution spoke
on the work of the Energy Bill Revolution campaign.
Ed Matthew presentation

Steve Lauri from E.ON spoke on
“ECO Obligated suppliers: part of the solution”
Steve Lauri presentation

Question and Answer session with all guest speakers.