the Environmental Audit Committee has published a report on how to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock.

We should all be able to stay warm at home and repairing or upgrading our property’s heating and insulation is one of the best ways to do this. For people already struggling to meet essential living expenses however, this is simply not an option.

More than one in ten households in North Devon are in fuel poverty, with many off the gas grid and relying on electric night storage heating.

Cold and damp housing conditions impact on health and wellbeing. As well as causing or exacerbating serious physical health conditions such as strokes, heart attacks and asthma, they can contribute to other issues such as poor mental health, stress.