Green Party calls for emergency insulation grants as soaring energy prices threaten to increase fuel poverty

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20 September 2021

* Emergency grants to pay for simple insulation measures

* Large scale retrofit programme in the medium term

* Take back energy generation and sales into public ownership 

The Green Party has called for emergency grants to homeowners, landlords and councils to fund immediate insulation improvements to those at risk of fuel poverty this winter. The call comes in the wake of soaring energy prices.  

Zoe Nicholson, Green Party Green New Deal spokesperson, said:

“Soaring gas prices threaten to increase further the appalling levels of fuel poverty this winter. The Conservative government must shoulder the blame for this crisis. 

“Recently, the Green Homes grant, that offered households the opportunity to insulate their homes and power them with renewable energy, was axed. That’s why Greens are calling for emergency grants to be made available immediately so households facing the prospect of cold and damp homes this winter can pay for simple insulation measures.

“Of course, this short term fix is only needed because of years of government inaction on fuel poverty. Ultimately, we need to see the implementation of a large-scale nationwide insulation programme. This is a key part of the Green New Deal, which will ensure homes are warm and comfortable, reduce carbon emissions and create thousands of green jobs.” 

Greens have also repeated calls for energy to be taken back into public ownership. 

Molly Scott Cato, Green Party Finance and Economy spokesperson, said:

“With unsustainable deals to attract customers, and higher prices charged for those with less ability to pay, it’s clear that the market is failing in the energy sector. In a climate emergency it’s absurd to give responsibility for reducing demand to those who profit from selling the product. A resilient, fair and sustainable energy supply system can only be effective if politicians have the power to act which is why the Green Party is clear that our energy generation and supply systems should be brought back into public ownership.”

 

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