Families could save £500 on energy bills under plan to insulate coldest homes
Upgrading millions of poorly insulated homes across the country would save families around £500 on energy bills, Labour claims.
Accusing the Tories of a “disastrous record” on heating homes, Keir Starmer’s party vowed to upgrade every one of the 19 million homes below an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) B and C over the course of a decade if Labour wins power.
An analysis by the party suggests 21,000 homes in Stevenage - an area identified as crucial to the party’s general election effort - could save £10million off energy bills.
It found upgrading 28,000 homes in Great Yarmouth would save £14million and 60,000 home upgrades in Oldham would save £30million.
Labour said if the scheme had been implemented when they first called for it in 2021, two million of the coldest homes could have been upgraded in the first year, saving more than £1billion on their energy bills this year alone.
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The warm homes scheme forms part of Keir Starmer's £28billion a year green prosperity plan (Getty Images)The attack on the Government's record on improving energy efficiency comes ahead of next month's local elections.
Labour said home insulation rates have fallen by 92% following a 2013 cut in energy efficiency programmes
The party also highlighted the Conservatives have not spent a third (£2.1billion) of the funding pledged to make buildings energy efficient in its 2019 manifesto, according to an analysis by climate change think tank E3G.
The warm homes scheme forms part of Labour's £28billion a year green prosperity plan.
Final details of how the plan would be funded will be set out by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves at the next general election, but it would be likely to involve increased government borrowing to invest in green industries.
Shadow Climate Change and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said: “One of the reasons that energy bills are so high is the Conservative’ disastrous record on heating our homes. Energy efficiency rates are now twenty times lower than under the last Labour Government, but Rishi Sunak is breaking his manifesto promises, rather than upgrading homes.
“Labour’s Warm Homes Plan would upgrade the 19 million homes that need it, cutting bills and creating thousands of good jobs for electricians, engineers, and construction workers across the country.
“A vote for Labour on 4th May is a vote to Build a Better Britain for working people.”
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner earlier today described the lack of UK economic growth as "devastating".
Speaking during a visit to a food store in Derby to hear what staff are doing to lower prices for customers, she added: "Energy bills are going up, mortgages are going up, and the Government have failed to help families which has a knock-on effect on the economy and growth because people haven't got money to spend, and then that will affect growth in this country."
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