Press Release on May Conference

“TIME IS RUNNING OUT: GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET TO GRIPS WITH FUEL POVERTY AND EMISSIONS PROBLEMS”

So Said Michael Jack, MP, At GAIN Conference

“The energy efficiency business is growing in sophistication” was the opening remark by Michael Jack, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, as Keynote speaker at the Conference and exhibition, organised by the Grant Aided Heating Installers Network (GAIN) earlier this month, at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.

            The Conference was Chaired by Scottish Legend and veteran international rugby player, George ‘Doddie’ Weir, a frequent player at the Falcons.

            Certainly Michael Jack’s opening remarks were borne out in the talks updating nearly 200 delegates present, and the advanced heating and renewables equipment on show at the accompanying exhibition. Delegates were from Registered Social Landlords and the energy efficiency industry.

Michael Jack commented that “the arrival of the recession meant it was no easy task to meet energy efficiency targets. In the twenty-first century, we should not still be talking about fuel poverty, with five million fuel poor households – against rapidly rising fuel prices. GAIN’s task was to keep the country up to the benchmark.”

            He was concerned that “consumers were having to contribute out of their own pockets under the CERT Scheme: the question of affordability needed addressing. The technology was here, but the Schemes were constrained by cash”. He urged “the Government to get to grips with the problems: time was running out.”

Hayley Peters, Operations Director, eaga Plc, the main sponsors of the Conference – followed this up by stating that “there were changes in the grant maxima, with £3,500 now available for heating and insulation; and £6,000 for oil and new technology pilots: this had assisted some 9000 customers overnight”. “Installer re-tendering had been delayed due to the Scheme changes. Meanwhile eaga’s contract for managing the scheme had been extended to March 2011”.

            Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications, National Energy Action (NEA), gave an overview of the 12 active Warm Zones, which, between July 2007 and February 2009, had improved the lives of around 67,000 households; secured £88 million worth of additional welfare benefits, with an average uplift of £2,700; reduced CO₂ emissions by over 1,400,000 tonnes; were currently helping to sustain over 400 new jobs; and had made a £182 million contribution to local economies”.

            Tim Pollard, Head of Sustainability, Wolseley UK, Sustainable Building Center, pointed out that “When energy use is unavoidable try to use renewable sources and improve system efficiency with energy efficient boilers, controls and variable speed pumps and drives”. He demonstrated a ground to air heat exchanger, and a radical new solution in thermal mass systems for framed construction. Going forward “there would be an evolution towards mass market and boiler replacement, and from new build to renovation with district and area heating schemes playing a part”.

            Scott Carruthers, Core Skills Training, and Rebecca Sadler, eaga Plc, spoke of health and safety in the domestic market, asking delegates “how safe are you; and how do you comply?” They outlined the main risks as “working alone; slips, trips and falls; working at a height; confined spaces; manual handling; fire, asbestos and machinery”. It was important to “identify the hazards and risks and introduce control measures”.

            Adrian Keates, National Account Manager, Honeywell, spoke of the importance of “carbon monoxide awareness, which kills many people in their homes every year due to faulty appliances and blocked flues – with symptoms often mistaken for flu.” “Everyone using a fuel burning appliance was at risk, with a CO alarm the only means of detection. Ideally one alarm should be fitted in every room containing a fuel burning appliance. The alarm should be properly approved and kite marked to the correct performance standards”.

            Paul Cooper, CEO of Home Insulation Services (NW) Ltd and Chairman of GAIN, spoke of the importance of “corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its direct impact on businesses, their people, and the planet, whether it involved the careful choice of suppliers, vulnerable customers, and consideration to the rest of the world – from the local community through to global pollution. There were genuine cost benefits in taking such an approach, including saving money through reductions in energy and other costs, and better management practices; in attracting customers who felt companies’ responsibility was important in making purchasing decisions; in staff recruitment and retention, due to good reputation and motivation; and for future sustainability.” He urged all GAIN members “to engage in CSR and make their organisations even better in the future for the benefit of everyone”.

Earlier in the meeting he spoke of how “GAIN, since its inception in 2002, had striven to raise professional standards with qualitative awards now a membership requirement. During this time membership had tripled with contractors representing 25% of the industry serving the grants market; support from three scheme managers, and a strong list of supporting suppliers. There were regular networking and informative meetings, and activities included lobbying government, and promotion to obtain a higher profile, with the first seminar, and the introduction of national awards. All GAIN members were determined to carry forward the Association remit of ‘delivering warmth to those who need it most”.

Alistair Wilson, Newcastle Enviro Schools Co-ordinator, then discussed ‘renewable energy within schools’ and the Enviro Schools programme. “This had developed since 2002 to promote environmental responsibility. It was a partnership working with schools, including teachers and young children; the community; and officers in Newcastle City Council. Earlier in the day children from the Kingston Park Primary School had shown their pictures based on renewable products.

Finally Doddie Weir, as Conference Chairman, summed up the highlights of the day. “The important issues discussed had included how the Warm Front Scheme was constantly expanding to meet the joint challenges of fuel poverty and carbon emission reduction; how the NEA was campaigning for more funding and an integrated approach from government; how renewables would play a significant role in future energy efficiency policy; health and safety risks and compliance to keep the workforce and customers safe; the importance of contractors helping to promote CO awareness, and the need for immediate detection and alarms; and corporate social responsibility within businesses.

            Delegates then viewed the accompanying exhibition showing the latest in heating technology and renewable products.

The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network is based at P O Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH; tel: 01428 654011; fax: 01428 651401; e-mail: gainassociation@aol.com; web: www.gainassociation.org.uk.

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DOWNLOADABLE IMAGES:-

CAPTION FOR PICTURE 2715: FOR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

PICTURE SHOWS: (left) Michael Jack, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee, following his Keynote speech at the first national Grant Aided Heating Installers Network Conference, held in Newcastle, mid-May. He is shown receiving a presentation book, relevant both to his environmental position and his hobby of vegetable gardening, from Paul Cooper, Chairman of GAIN. The audience is in the background.

CAPTION FOR PICTURE 2910: FOR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

PICTURE SHOWS: (left) George ‘Doddie’ Weir, Scottish legend and veteran international rugby player, on the occasion of the first national Grant Aided Heating Installers Network Conference, which he Chaired, held in Newcastle, mid-May. He is with Paul Cooper, Chairman of GAIN, on the Association stand at the Conference.

CAPTION FOR PICTURE 2655: FOR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

PICTURE SHOWS: Michael Jack, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee, delivering his Keynote speech at the first national Grant Aided Heating Installers Network Conference, held in Newcastle, mid-May. Seated (far right) is George ‘Doddie’ Weir, Scottish legend and veteran international rugby player, who Chaired the GAIN Conference.

CAPTION FOR PICTURE 2666: FOR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

PICTURE SHOWS: Michael Jack, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee, delivering his Keynote speech at the first national Grant Aided Heating Installers Network Conference, held in Newcastle, mid-May.

Further information from Gillian or Leonie on: 01428 654011