Cutting Government red tape around green energy schemes could save homeowners £220 a year, according to a report published today.
The report, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), has been published to coincide with the announcement of the Government’s White Paper for climate change and renewable energy today, and calls for the large number of initiatives aimed at cutting household carbon emissions to be merged into a single £7 billion fund.
The report, ‘From Kyoto to Kettering, Copenhagen to Croydon’, claims cutting the energy use in individual homes using simple methods such as insulating every loft could help the UK save £2 billion. The LGA, which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, believe that a single Government fund would allow councils to embark on a cost-effective programme of local action to cut energy use, permanently cutting household fuel bills and emissions.
Other proposals in the manifesto include:
* Offering stamp duty relief for all new houses that meet the highest current energy saving standards, encouraging the construction of new green homes
* Offering discounted electricity or other energy-saving measures to local residents when wind farms are built in their area
* Requiring all energy suppliers to work with councils when issuing smart meters, which can help householders save energy, so that consumers get the best advice on cutting their fuel bills
* More help for remote rural areas to cut energy use.
Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said: “Millions of homes across Britain are still draughty, cold and energy inefficient. Councils want to make homes that are fit for the 21st century.
“Home insulation saves the average family around £220 a year. Lagging lofts is a fast, effective way of helping people cut their fuel bills but, at the moment, many households are missing out.
“Too much money is being wasted on a raft of green schemes and people who need help insulating their homes are not getting it. A national insulation programme would dramatically reduce carbon emissions and harness the desire of householders to make their homes more energy efficient.”
Recently Kirklees Council offered to install free loft insulation in every home and the LGA is keen for other councils to follow its example.
Bettison added: “It is only councils that have both the knowledge of a local area and a strong connection with households. Councils are already proving they can deliver home insulation and make this money go further. It’s time the Government cut the red tape around its green schemes and created a single pot of money so councils can get on with the job in hand.”
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