Government urged to back new energy efficiency proposals and tackle fuel poverty

The research, entitled: ' After the Green Deal: Empowering people and places to improve their homes’ sets out bold policy recommendations to urge the Government to commit to cost effective investment in delivering better homes and better lives. 

These include lowering stamp duty to homeowners and landlords with more energy efficient properties; offering lower interest loans for energy efficiency improvements through a ‘Help to Improve’ scheme and allocating a portion of the national infrastructure fund to city regions to invest in energy efficiency schemes.

The report also suggests the creation of ‘Warm Home Zones,’ focusing on the homes of the fuel poor in order to boost health and wellbeing and reduce health and social costs.

Executive Director of the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association Sarah Kostense-Winterton said: “The Government is rightly rethinking energy efficiency and Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd has called on industry to work with government to deliver a structure that provides value for money to the exchequer, tackles the priority issues of fuel poverty and carbon reduction and empowers consumers to keep their bills down. Respublica’s recommendations do just that. 

“This year provides a clear opportunity for the Government to build a long term, stable energy efficiency policy that delivers for UK’s consumers. This should start by recognising that our homes form an essential part of our national infrastructure. Investment in this infrastructure will bring real economic benefits to the UK – both boosting UK productivity and significant job creation, as well as energy security.

“It is clear from Respublica’s recommendations that any successful government policy must have two vital elements – both the engagement of consumers but also enabling them to improve their homes, to keep their bills down and homes warm.”