Vulnerability Strategy
Read our Vulnerability Strategy and find out what we are doing to help vulnerable customers.
We believe everyone should live in a safe and warm home
What is the VCMI?
We support vulnerable customers through our vulnerability and carbon monoxide initiatives.
This includes our standards of service, as well as our Vulnerability Strategy.
Our vulnerability and carbon monoxide initiatives span both how we support communities in our core role as a gas network operator, as well as additional activity enabled by the VCMA.
What is the VCMA?
The Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) is a monetary fund for Britain’s four gas networks to support vulnerable customers and raise awareness of carbon monoxide.
This fund allows us to support vulnerable customers beyond our licence obligations.
We’re in the second VCMA period, aligned to the price control RIIO-GD3. It follows the success of the first VCMA funding mechanism, running from April 2021 to March 2026.
Between April 2026 and March 2031, we will invest £44.8m in programmes that help keep vulnerable households safe and warm across Scotland and Southern England.
Since 2021, we’ve supported 1,228,241 vulnerable households
We’ve invested £59m to help households use energy safely, efficiently and affordably
We’ve designed and delivered 144 energy safeguarding and CO awareness programmes
Our programmes
Together with our Safe & Warm community partners, we’re supporting those most in need to help to stay safe and warm at home.
VCMI governance
The Gas Network VCMI Governance Document sets out how the VCMI is regulated and governed.
VCMI reports
Read our VCMI annual reports to find out how our programmes are progressing.