Labour’s plans mean end to energy’s Cinderella status, says UKGBC

The Labour Party’s plans to put an end to cold homes means that “energy efficiency would no longer be the Cinderella of energy policy”, according to the UK Green Building Council.
Responding to the Green Paper – An end to cold homes: One Nation Labour’s plans for energy efficiency – the Council praised the party for recognising that energy efficiency is the key to tackling rising household energy bills and ending fuel poverty, as well meeting the UK’s carbon targets.

Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, said: “Under Labour’s plans, energy efficiency would no longer be the Cinderella of energy policy. Labour has said very clearly that energy efficiency is the key to driving down bills, improving energy security and tackling carbon emissions. This is a well-intentioned plan that recognises the importance of a long-term, multi-Parliament approach, designed to give industry the confidence it needs to invest.

“However, the challenge still remains for Labour – and for all political parties – to take the radical steps necessary to fully meet the scale of the problem. We need to retrofit one million homes a year, for a generation, to make all 26 million UK households fit for the future. Designating energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority is hugely welcome. That needs to be backed up with capital investment from Government and fiscal incentives to truly embed energy efficiency in the housing market.”