News
As it happens, we will get it out to you.
Wednesday, March 1st, 2023
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding – a grant of £400 against the cost of living crisis to help with fuel bills – went live for the UK last Thursday (in advance of what was meant to be the launch on 27th February).
In spite of extensive efforts by all boater organisations, and even Canal & River Trust, to get liveaboard boaters, both with and without a mooring included in the scheme, we have been specifically excluded.
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Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards, welfare
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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
Itinerant boat dwellers are now specifically excluded from Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The only way our community will get the grant is if we campaign for it. There will be an online/ phone campaign meeting tomorrow, Wednesday February 22nd 2023 at 7pm. Campaigning is also taking place locally.
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Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Danny Kruger MP, Devizes and District Food Bank, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards, meeting, welfare
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Monday, February 6th, 2023
Last week the Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart announced that the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding will launch no later than 27th February 2023. Liveaboard boaters,including many on permanent moorings, and many other off-grid households living in vehicles, caravans and on the land will be waiting even longer for the support that most people got around 4 months ago, including second home owners for both of their homes
This is extremely disappointing news – please write to your MP using this template letter: Template letter to MPs re Energy Bills Support Scheme
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Tags: continuous cruising, cost of living, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, Graham Stuart MP, heating, liveaboards, Minister for Energy and Climate, MPs, Travelling communities
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Monday, February 6th, 2023
Liveaboard boaters in Bristol Harbour are currently being faced with draconian new mooring fee increases of up to 177%. The Harbour Authority, Bristol City Council, plans to implement these new fees with just 3 months notice. There has been no consultation and no attempt to carry out even a basic impact assessment.
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Tags: Bristol Boaters Community Association, Bristol City Council, Bristol Harbour, harbour review, liveaboards, Marvin Rees, mooring charges
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) has provided the following interim update and advice on applications for the Energy Bills Support Scheme – Alternative Funding (EBSS-AF) and Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP).
The Energy Bills Support Scheme – Alternative Funding (EBSS-AF) system may go live this week in the pilot areas of Wrexham, Chichester, Glasgow and West Sussex, with a full nationwide roll-out anticipated before mid-February.
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Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards, Travelling communities
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Monday, January 16th, 2023
There will be a boat and vehicle fire safety talk this Wednesday 18th January 2023 at 7pm at the Barge Inn, Honeystreet SN9 5PS. Free fire safety packs will be available including free fire and CO alarms. It is organised by Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
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Tags: boat fire safety, boat fire safety pack, continuous cruising, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, fire safety advice, Honeystreet, Julian House, liveaboards, safety, the Barge Inn Honeystreet, Travelling Community Support Service
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Sunday, January 1st, 2023
To clarify the previous article, it remains unclear whether liveaboard boaters without a home mooring are to be included in the Government Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding. The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) is still in discussion with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to clarify the position and how it will be assessed after BEIS requested its input in early December. With the involvement of boaters and supporters across the country, NBTA is attempting to steer the Government towards a £400 payment that truly includes all off-grid households, including itinerant liveaboard boaters, and that this is made available as soon as possible.
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Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Bills Support Scheme, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards, Travelling communities
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Wednesday, December 21st, 2022
On Monday 19th December 2022 the Government announced that support with energy costs for off-grid households would go live in January 2023. The 900,000 households in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to an energy supplier will be able to apply for the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) Alternative Funding and some would also be eligible for the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment. The announcement also covered support for all households in Northern Ireland.
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) and Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) held intensive discussions with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to ensure that all off-grid households, including itinerant boat, caravan and vehicle dwellers without a fixed address, will be included.
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Tags: Bargee Traveller's Association, continuous cruising, cost of living, Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Bills Support Scheme, Friends Families and Travellers, fuel costs, heating, liveaboards
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Monday, December 12th, 2022
The Floaty Boat Fund runs the Pay It Forward scheme to provide fuel for liveaboard boaters between Bath and Wootton Rivers who are struggling financially. The scheme relies on donations to the coal and fuel suppliers for this to work. If you would like to make a donation to help other liveaboard boaters to keep warm this winter, please contact:
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Tags: coal and diesel boats, continuous cruising, heating, Julian House, liveaboards, Pay It Forward, Travelling Community Support Service
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