The National Pensioners’ Convention (NPC) is deeply concerned by media reports that the Chancellor is considering a drastic 40 per cent cut to funding for energy efficiency measures.
According to sources, the government is thinking of diverting funds from its flagship Warm Homes Plan to finance short-term reductions in energy, using existing schemes.
The NPC and our End Fuel Poverty Coalition partners believe this move would have far-reaching consequences for millions of older and vulnerable UK households.
Estimates suggest it would effectively reduce the total energy efficiency pot by £8.7 billion over five years.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC, said: “We urge the Chancellor to rethink any cuts she is considering and engage with concerned stakeholders before making decisions that could have a profound impact on the nation’s most vulnerable.
“We stand ready to work with the government to find fair, effective solutions that protect both the immediate and long-term interests of older people, and all those at risk of fuel poverty.”
The government’s Warm Homes Plan, with a budget of £13.2 billion, was designed to provide critical support for social housing, heat pumps, home upgrade loans, and local authority-led retrofit schemes.
These are initiatives NPC and the End Fuel Poverty Coalition consider key to tackling the problem of cold, damp homes that disproportionately affect older people and those in fuel poverty.
The NPC agrees with the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, which has commented: “Any cuts to the Warm Homes Plan or other programmes to improve housing conditions would be a short-sighted act of betrayal by the Chancellor.
“These electorally popular policies can help bring down energy usage in a safe way and improve the energy efficiency of the homes of people in fuel poverty.
“We obviously understand the urgent need to cut energy bills, but the Chancellor appears to be listening to the wrong people.
“It is entirely possible for the Government to help reduce energy bills, but ministers need to look in the right place for changes.
“We would be happy to talk to the Chancellor about our recommendations.”
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
