Investment Urged to Tackle Future Energy Bills 

Local MP Alyn Smith has backed a national campaign to secure much needed investment in home energy schemes, aimed at reducing household energy bills in the future.

An open letter to the UK Chancellor – signed by National Energy Action, Age UK, Greenpeace UK and 20 other campaign groups – calls for an upfront investment of £5.3 billion for home insulation and £3.37 billion for heat pump installation in his Spring Statement on 15 March. The letter also asks for a £6 billion a year commitment for the next decade, in order to give reassurance to industry and ensure both businesses and communities can reap maximum economic benefit. 

Modelling estimates that from October 2022 there were around 860,000 households (35%) in fuel poverty in Scotland. This is an increase of 247,000 households or around 10 percentage points from the latest available 2019 SHCS statistics, which showed 613,000 households in fuel poverty (25%).

Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:

‘High energy costs have played a huge role in driving the cost of living crisis. By investing in home insulation and moving away from gas boilers to heat pumps, the UK Government can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help keep the bills down. During these economically uncertain times, a huge Government-backed construction scheme will help drive forward local growth, create jobs and unlock hundreds of pounds per household in disposable income from reduced energy bills. 

‘Communities across Stirling are struggling after a decade of bad energy policy and management from the UK Government. I urge the Chancellor to take on board these sensible suggestions, to kickstart our move away from fossil fuels and high energy bills – and towards properly insulated, warm homes and more affordable energy bills.’

Notes:

The campaign can be found here: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/coaltion-call-for-green-homes/