Government urged to cut fuel bills (From Middlewich Guardian)

Government urged to cut fuel bills

10:08am Thursday 12th February 2009

© Press Association 2009

The Government must introduce a comprehensive package of measures to make homes more energy efficient and cut fuel bills, campaigners have urged ahead of an announcement on official plans to reduce emissions from households.

The Government's heat and energy saving proposals, which will be unveiled later, are expected to include plans for rolling out insulation and low-carbon heating systems such as solar panels and biomass boilers to millions of homes.

Ahead of the announcement, the Local Government Association (LGA) called for energy suppliers to pay a £500 million annual charge to fund a comprehensive home insulation programme to help lift half a million people out of fuel poverty.

The LGA said extra investment in insulation would help 10 million households save £280 a year on fuel bills, and create up to 20,000 new green-collar jobs.

The association said the charge to energy companies, which have already been asked to contribute more towards cutting carbon emissions, should not be passed onto consumers who are already paying extra on their bills for energy efficiency schemes.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, vice chairman of the LGA, said: "A comprehensive home insulation programme is the best long-term solution to tackling fuel poverty, cutting domestic carbon emissions, creating jobs and fighting fuel poverty.

"As the economy has entered into a recession, insulating existing homes must remain a priority that can create jobs and help those struggling to pay their fuel bills."

He said the LGA proposals for a national home insulation programme would save households money, lifting the most needy out of fuel poverty and protecting the elderly and vulnerable.

The Government consultation on heat and energy saving aims to reduce carbon emissions from households - which currently account for around 27% of all emissions in the UK.

Almost half the UK's emissions come from heating in homes, businesses and industrial processes, and 70% of the country's natural gas use goes on heating.