Northern Gas Networks’ Citizen Panel is a long-standing engagement mechanism for the business, which allows its thinking to be challenged and tested by a broadly representative group of consumers.
In 2025, Blue Marble was appointed to refresh the approach and membership, and support NGN with its delivery.
Three waves of engagement are held each year, comprising:
We wanted to use this session to focus on Skills, education strategy and community outreach, giving Members an understanding of the net zero skills, jobs and workforce transition
context; introducing them to NGN’s skills and outreach activities and social mobility targets. We wanted to understand Member hopes and concerns around transition skills and workforce in their region and communities, exploring what drives views, as well as gain insight into Member perception of:
a. The Green Academy
b. NGN’s community outreach programme and the targeted approach
We also wanted to give Members further understanding of GD3 investment, and what this means for bill payers today and in the future; in the context of uncertain energy transition policy. We wanted to deliberate on the issue of who pays for what and when:
a. Explore what ‘intergenerational fairness’ means to Members
b. Encourage sharing of views across the panels, with Members of the Young
Innovator’s Council joining the session.
Before finally developing intergenerational fairness principles to influence early thinking for GD4 investment and network costs.
Futureproofing skills
You said NGN should focus on practical, transferable skills and meaningful career opportunities, supporting a resilient workforce while creating inclusive opportunities for communities, rather than focusing specifically on a standalone “Green” Academy.
So we’re evolving our approach towards a flexible skills and training programme, aligned with workforce development, while exploring community education and outreach to build skills, awareness and future career opportunities.
Intergenerational Fairness
You said you supported sharing investment costs fairly across generations, but need clearer bill impacts and realistic scenarios before making informed choices, with affordability, transparency and protection for vulnerable customers prioritised.
So we will combine your insight with our youth panel feedback and develop clearer investment and bill scenarios. We’ll bring these back next year to explore the choices and trade-offs together.