APPG writes to government
January 2022
The APPG wrote to Boris Johnson’s Government in January 2022 when the average annual energy bill was predicted to reach £2000 from April 2022 calling for more targeted support and protection of energy efficiency schemes. This proved successful, with Government announcing targeted financial support in the May 2022 Spring Statement and a boost to the Energy Company Obligation scheme later in the year.
Key asks and signatories are below:
- That any direct support to households includes a targeted package of measures for those on the lowest incomes. While universal support might be necessary in such a circumstance, it is important that those households that will be impacted the most receive the most support. This could be done, for example, by increasing the support available through existing schemes such as the GB-wide Warm Home Discount, the UK-wide Winter Fuel Payments or an additional targeted rebate which could be delivered this winter. Any additional support should be Treasury funded as this will help offset any additional costs for other bill payers.
- That any effort to reduce energy bills should not include the removal of green levies. While there are arguments about whether such levies should remain on energy bills or be added instead to income tax, there is no justification for removing them completely. To do so would be to compound the gas crisis which we face by exacerbating fuel poverty and further delaying the transition away from fossil fuels. In particular, it is imperative that the Energy Company Obligation is not reduced or delayed as a means of reducing the cost of energy. The upcoming ECO 4 scheme, due to start in April, is intended to be fully focused on low income and vulnerable households and help more than 150,000 low-income homes to permanently reduce their energy bills, just in the first two years of the scheme. This is in line with the statutory requirement to ensure all fuel poor homes in England are brought up to a reasonable standard of energy efficiency by 2030. This will also make an invaluable contribution to achieving the Government’s goal to reach net zero at the same time as ensuring there is a fair and affordable transition.
Signed:
- Ben Lake MP, Co-Chair APPG Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency
- Caroline Lucas MP, Vice-Chair APPG Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency
- Alison Thewliss MP, Vice-Chair APPG Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency
- Kim Johnson MP
- Alistair Carmichael MP
- Derek Thomas MP
- Martyn Day MP
- Peter Aldous MP
- Barry Gardiner MP
- Claudia Webbe MP
- Baroness Armstrong of Hilltop