“We welcome the news that steps are being taken to tackle housing energy inefficiency. Our nation’s homes are among the oldest and least efficient in Western Europe, leaving many households spending significant proportions of their income on energy bills. The Energy Price Guarantee provides a temporary sticking plaster amid soaring energy prices and falling temperatures. Substantial action is needed to resolve the root cause of the problem – cold, draughty and inefficient homes. And, as the government notes, a national initiative like this will support net zero targets and generate jobs.
“Under the ECO+ scheme, grants will become available next spring and, according to the government, the average annual energy savings for consumers will be £310. This could be too little too late for older people in the least efficient homes, who will still face enormous energy bills this winter, far above the Energy Price Guarantee. Over 50s are already using less fuel at home because of rising living costs, more than any other age group. And this presents serious health risks, especially for older people with health conditions.
“It is positive to hear that the scheme intends to support people with lower incomes whilst widening eligibility to people living in the least efficient homes. However, as the government’s previous Good Homes Grants scheme showed, money is not the only barrier to people improving their homes. Our research shows that people also need professional advice and practical support to understand and make the right changes to their homes. They also need help to find tradespeople who are going to do a good job for a fair price and who they can trust to bring into their homes. Currently, some communities offer elements of this support, but provision is patchy. We’re calling on the government to respond to the poor quality housing crisis we have in this country by ensuring every community has an independent, one-stop-shop offering trusted advice and support to help people make their homes warmer and safer.”
Why it matters: The ECO+ scheme is another attempt by the Government in the UK to improve the energy efficiency of its aging housing stock. It is important that the process is easy for householders to access funds and find tradespeople who are aware of the scheme. Previous scheme such as the Green Deal failed as so many stakeholders did not get involved in the scheme. The Government should engage with trade associations and tradesmen to ensure the support of the initiative.
