Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance
The Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) enables UK gas distributors to provide far-reaching support to customers facing vulnerability and financial hardship.
The Ofgem-funded programme was launched in 2021 and has continued in the current 2026-2031 regulatory period.
Funding is split between the four UK gas distribution networks – with money spent on regional projects as well as collaborative projects involving two or more gas distributors.
Between 2021 and 2026, we invested more than £24.8m on regional VCMA projects, including £9 million on collaborative projects.
We work with local, regional and national partners such as charities and community groups, to develop sustainable projects which deliver tangible improvements to people’s lives – going far beyond our licence obligations.
To date, we have delivered more than 100 NGN specific projects and more than 35 collaborative projects.
As part of the new 2026-2031 regulatory period, we are actively working with our partner organisations to ensure that our partnerships continue to help those in our communities who need us most.
Our VCMA projects must seek to address at least one of the challenges outlined below. Customers can face complex needs, so projects can often address and deliver multiple benefits.
Measurement, governance and reporting
We use a wide range of methods to identify VCMA projects and measure their success.
From vulnerability mapping tools and customer perception research to regular partner meetings and stakeholder panels, we ensure that investment is targeted where it is needed most.
Our highly successful annual open days help partner organisations meet one another, share feedback and forge their own partnerships.
We have a strong internal governance process, including an external panel, to approve new VMCA projects. For collaborative projects, a National Steering Panel provides oversight to ensure projects are delivered in line with Ofgem governance for Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Initiatives (VCMI).
We measure the Social Return On Investment (SROI) of projects using a specially developed model which has been adopted by all four gas distributors.
All VCMA project partners submit quarterly and annual reports detailing performance against objectives, while each gas distribution network publishes an annual report about their region-specific work, as well as a joint annual report focused on collaborative projects.
As part of our RIIO GD3 Business Plan we set our 21 commitments that will see us enhance support to our customers who may be more vulnerable due to their medical or personal circumstances.
Through our Vulnerability Strategy we will support more households and individuals at risk.
Between 2026 and 2031, we will deliver new collaborative strategies and enhance our partnerships, so we make a real difference to people’s lives.
Through the creation of a Partner Toolkit, we will empower our delivery partners to reach into communities to provide valuable support and help the consistently measure the social impact of their projects.
This will help them manage their project in way that will help them retain VCMA funding and also bid for funding from other organisations and sources.
From day one of our new regulatory Business Plan period, we have established projects that focus on underserved vulnerability groups: unemployed, older people, farming communities and geographically remote households.
We are focused on building on these and exploring new partnerships.
Some further reading
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Read ReportNGN VCMA Annual Report
Read our latest Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) report.
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Read ReportVCMA Annual Report: Collaborative
Read the latest collaborative VCMA report, describing projects delivered in partnership with other gas distribution networks.
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Learn MoreVCMA projects
Explore our library of live and completed VCMA projects.
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DownloadVulnerability Strategy
Read our Vulnerability Strategy.
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DownloadOfgem's VCMI Governance
View Ofgem’s Gas networks Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Initiatives governance document.