South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne welcomes the Government’s latest funding package to improve energy efficiency of buildings.
The Government this week announced a further £2.5 billion package to boost the efficiency of heating systems across low-income households, which should cut bills by up to £400.
The Government-backed Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Home Upgrade Grant commits £1.4 billion of funding, matched by an additional £1.1 billion from Social Housing Landlords and charities. The package should improve domestic heating systems in 115,000 homes and support 20,000 jobs around the country.
The schemes form part of the Government’s commitment to reduce overall UK energy demand by 15 per cent by 2030, as well as supporting the ambition for the UK to move towards greater energy independence.
The Home Upgrade Grant is supporting over 25,000 low-income homes across England by installing energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating. Those eligible for the grant are typically the least energy efficient, off-grid homes most in need of upgrading, with an EPC rating of D to G. Improving these homes comes with the added benefit of supporting 7,000 jobs.
Shropshire Council is set to receive £11 million funding from the Home Upgrade Grant. South Shropshire's principal social housing provider Connexus has been awarded £1.6 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Harper Adams University will receive over £700,000 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Commenting, Philip Dunne said:
“Not only do energy-inefficient buildings contribute hugely to the nation's greenhouse gas emissions by leaking energy to the atmosphere, but they also leak cash through expensive energy bills.
“The Government has a role to play in helping households get energy efficiency under control at a time of high cost of energy bills
“So I welcome the Government’s announcement this week that more than 100,000 homes in England will be helped to make improvements. Many of these are homes to low-income households who need the support the most.
“When the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary appeared before the Environmental Audot Committee last week, he said that the Government is currently paying half of a typical energy bill. This is not a sustainable situation. Investment now in workable solutions, such as energy efficiency measures, will play a major role in keeping these costs down.
“I am particularly pleased that Shropshire Council is set to receive over £11m to help improve the energy efficiency of homes through the Home Upgrade Scheme and our main Housing Association in South Shropshire, Connexus, will receive £1.6m through the Social Housing decarbonation fund.
“This funding will increase the efficiency of heating systems and vitally cut costs for hundreds of Shropshire families for the long-term.”
Commenting, Energy Secretary, Grant Shapps said:
“This winter, we have all become acutely aware of our energy bills and how best to keep our homes warm.
“In the face of Putin’s war driving up prices, we have already stepped to pay around half of the average household’s energy bills to help get through the winter months.
“Today, we are going even further to boost energy efficiency and bring down bills for those who need it the most.”