- Media & Campaigns
- Press releases
- 2008
- April 2008
- LGA Group agrees deal to transfer back office functions
- New weapon to combat lollipop rage launched today
- Council leaders respond to 'snooping' allegations
- Response to Taxpayers Alliance report on council funding
- Snapshot survey of schools set to close
- Home insulation best way to tackle fuel poverty
- Worrying lap dancing loophole should be closed
- NUT should 'pause for thought' before embarking on strike action - Council leaders
- Climate change key to local elections
- LGA response to OFT report into construction firm ‘bid rigging’
- Toughen law to combat litter louts - LGA
- Twinning of towns goes global to boost jobs and investment in UK – new survey finds
- New powers needed to tackle litter louts
- Money for fuel poverty must not be a new tax - LGA
- Household energy plan must not be a stealth tax - LGA
- Older people's views are taken into account by councils
- ‘Unhelpful stonewalling’ by Post Office Ltd still needs to be overcome
- New study shows no evidence of bias against UK born families in social housing allocation
- Eco town plans must not ignore local people
- Employers make final pay offer to local government unions
- Utility roadworks and budget shortfalls hit road maintenance work
- Migration statistics are inadequate say council leaders
Home insulation best way to tackle fuel poverty
LGA press release - 23 April 2008
Council leaders today called for energy suppliers to pay a £500 million annual charge to help fund a home insulation programme that would lift half a million people out of poverty.
The call comes as energy regulator Ofgem hosts a summit to discuss the plight of people struggling to pay rising gas and electricity bills.
Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, said:
“Extra money should be provided to lift the most needy out of fuel poverty, especially if it means protecting the elderly and the vulnerable in the cold winter months. But trapping people into dependency on hand-outs will not tackle the causes of fuel poverty or bring about a permanent reduction in greenhouse gases. What we need is a comprehensive drive to insulate every home in the country to cut carbon emissions and lift people out of fuel poverty.”
The LGA said the best long term solution for tackling fuel poverty would be to ensure homes were more energy efficient. The cross party organisation, representing more than 400 councils in England and Wales, proposes that energy companies match pound for pound the £500 million a year contribution householders already make to pay for a national programme.
By doubling the investment in home insulation programmes and giving councils a key role in running them, 10 million households would each save £200 a year on their energy bills and lift 50,000 people out of fuel poverty. The proposed scheme would be monitored by OFGEM to ensure that no extra costs would be passed on to consumers.
Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Matt Nicholls, 0207 664 3053