UK launches £1bn Eco+ insulation scheme for middle-income energy consumers

*The United Kingdom Business Secretary says the government will spend an extra £1billion to insulate the middle-income energy-efficient  households in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Hundreds of thousands of homes across the United Kingdom (UK) are set to receive new home insulation under a £1 billion government scheme, saving consumers around £310 yearly.

ConsumerConnect gathered the new Eco+ scheme is aimed at middle-income households that do not benefit from any other government support to upgrade their homes.

People actually need to stay warm and well this winter and in the winters to come.

“At least £6 billion is needed by the end of this Parliament for a nationwide insulation programme that will not only help reduce our emissions but will also reduce the terrible levels of fuel poverty in the UK,” sources said.

Energy Secretary Grant Shapps also said that the scheme aims to make homes more energy efficient, and it is being activated along with an £18 million public information campaign advising people how to cut power usage, National World report stated.

The scheme, which will run for three years from spring, means that eligible households could receive loft and cavity wall insulation, while a fifth of the funding will be targeted at the most vulnerable homes, report said.

It was gathered that around 80 percent of the funding would be made available for those who are in some of the least energy-efficient homes in the country – with an EPC rating of D or below – and in the lower Council Tax bands.

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Grant Shapps has been urged to end renewables being pegged to gas prices.

Reduction of energy use

The UK public information campaign will give advice about turning down boiler temperatures and radiators to save energy. Reducing boiler flow temperatures from 75C to 60C and turning down radiators in empty rooms could save a typical household £160 per year, according to the guidance to be published on the help for households Web site.

A previous attempt to introduce a public information campaign on energy-saving measures was blocked under Liz Truss’s administration over concerns they were too “nanny state”, but the government has set an ambition of reducing energy use by 15% by 2030 as it battles the spiking energy prices caused by Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Shapps said: “A new ECO scheme will enable thousands more to insulate their homes, protecting the pounds in their pockets and creating jobs across the country.

“And in the short term, our new public information campaign will also give people the tools they need to reduce their energy use while keeping warm this winter.”

Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: “This reheated announcement with no new resources, is far too little too late and will help only a tiny fraction of the millions of people facing a cost-of-living emergency this winter.

“Labour’s warm homes plan would insulate up to two million homes a year, saving pensioners and families up to £1,000 off their energy bills.

“Rishi Sunak wants to crawl towards warmer homes and cheaper bills for our country.

“Labour will sprint for it – because that’s what the bills crisis demands.”