Shannon Barber

Policy & Campaigns Officer @NEANIreland. Passionate about tackling poverty in NI. Follower of Jesus.

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

Our NEA NI Training Officer, Nichola, was delighted to attend the King’s Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle. She was joined by our Policy and Campaigns Officer, Shannon, who attended as a guest. The invitation recognised Nichola's outstanding contribution to the voluntary sector and her work tackling fuel poverty.

#KingsGardenParty #HillsboroughCastle #FuelPoverty

[Communities NI @CommunitiesNI]

Minister @GordonLyons1 has launched a public consultation on the proposed Warm Healthy Homes Fund, a new energy efficiency scheme designed to improve warmth, health outcomes and energy affordability for low-income households across Northern Ireland. 🏠

👇 Find out more and share your views today:

https://t.co/ArKWqyKJCr

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

Yesterday's meeting of the All-Party Group on #FuelPoverty brought together representatives from @UREGNI, @PowerNI, @sseairtricity and the NI Oil Federation for an important discussion on rising energy prices, customer support and the challenges facing vulnerable consumers.

[Robbie Butler MLA @RobbieButlerMLA]

At today’s APG on Fuel Poverty, chaired by Andy Allen, we heard evidence from the Utility Regulator, Power NI, SSE Airtricity and the NI Oil Federation on pricing safeguards, transparency, rural inequalities and protections for vulnerable households. ⚡🏠

For many families, fuel poverty is a daily pressure and people are right to be worried and frustrated. But politicians twisting facts or fuelling misinformation for clicks and shares only adds to fear and confusion for those already struggling.

People deserve honesty, facts and solutions. 🤝🔥

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

This short-term support is welcome for households struggling with the cost of home heating oil. Delivery of the payment must now be timely, with clear information on how to apply. @niexecutive must also urgently enable Discretionary Support grants for fuel.

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

Thank you to all who came along to today's APG on #FuelPoverty meeting with Minister Lyons to discuss the recently published Warm Healthy Homes 2026-2036 strategy. It's an ambitious Executive strategy that needs the co-operation of all Departments to deliver lasting change.

[Shannon Barber @ShannonBarbs]

Adam Scorer opening the @NEA_UKCharity annual conference in Gateshead, highlighting that an estimated 6 million children in the UK are growing up in fuel poverty. #FuelPovertyConf

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

NEA NI welcomes the @niexecutive's new 'Warm Healthy Homes 2026-2036' strategy launched today and calls for urgent investment and a decade of delivery for households, children, and families living in #fuelpoverty. Full media release here: https://t.co/tZZ0Ymyfqh

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

The UK government has published its Warm Homes Plan. NEA NI Director, Pat Austin, says that 'NI cannot be left behind. The Executive must urgently increase funding to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency, as part of a long-term commitment to warmer, healthier homes.'

[National Energy Action @NEA_UKCharity]

It’s difficult to make Christmas feel magical when you can barely cover the essentials.

Right now, there are 6 million children living in cold homes. Their parents are trying desperately to make ends meet and pay for essentials like food, heating and electricity.

[Shannon Barber @ShannonBarbs]

New report from @jrf_uk again highlighting the struggle for many people in the private rented sector to afford the essentials and the need for better protections for private renters. 3 in 10 private renters in NI are living in poverty. https://t.co/fFLUqEwBo1

[Sheena McMullen @mcmullen_sheena]

🏘️ Our Poverty in Northern Ireland report shows housing costs, once a relatively modest pressure compared with other parts of the UK, have become a central risk factor of poverty.

Despite ambitious targets, social housing completions have fallen far short of what’s needed.

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

Yes! 48,300 NI children have been given hope, including those in #FuelPoverty. Great news on #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay.

[Shannon Barber @ShannonBarbs]

Today is #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay. For children & families, fuel poverty can mean growing up in a cold, damp & dark home. @nea_ukcharity's mission is to ensure warm & healthy homes for all, because its unacceptable that 6 million children in the UK are living in fuel poverty.

[Fiona Cole @FionaCole15]

Today gave me hope in the assembly. Am where @sinnfeinireland @duponline @allianceparty @uuponline @SDLPlive @GerryCarrollPBP stood in solidarity to fully scrap the 2CL. A discussion on the reality of poverty with SF followed by a measured, evidence based motion on cost of living

[National Energy Action NI @NEANIreland]

We were at Stormont today with many other organisations calling on the Chancellor to fully scrap the 2-child limit and help 48,300 children here. This call is supported by the Executive and Opposition parties.
All children deserve a decent start in life!

#EveryChildCounts

[Danny Donnelly MLA @DannyDonnelly1]

Lots going on at the Assembly today. First an important briefing on the findings of a recent @LucidTalk poll - survey for @NEANIreland on Fuel Poverty in NI.

[Marie Curie NI @MarieCurieNI]

Another very worrying set of statistics on the scale & impact of fuel poverty. With an emphasis on providing more care in the community, we urgently need to prioritise warm homes for the most vulnerable. @healthdpt @CommunitiesNI @fuelpovertyni

[Women's Support Net @WSN_NI]

Shannon @NEANIreland outlines the key policy recommendations for tackling fuel poverty and looks forward to the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Strategy - stressing the need for a statutory fuel poverty reduction target

[Women's Support Net @WSN_NI]

Polling by @NEANIreland & @LucidTalk shows 39% of households in NI are in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of their income on fuel) and 26% are in severe fuel poverty