Greeny News

new measures to fight against energy poverty and the gradual introduction of the Green Deal aims to address concerns that are demand for insulation

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today announced a series of measures to alleviate fuel shortages and drive demand for insulation and other energy efficiency improvements .

In recent months the government has faced a series of warnings of the green building industry as demand for energy efficiency may fall in the autumn, when the coalition replaces subsidy schemes, with its energy efficiency Green New Deal loan scheme. However, in a speech major Clegg has announced measures to address these issues, including confirmation that the green compact and the Company obligation accompanying power (ECO) of at least 540 million pounds of funding to be available to provide free or subsidized improvements to fuel poor households.

"We will require energy companies to provide an estimate of £ 1.3 billion per year to support energy efficiency in our homes, with at least 540 million U.S. dollars to fund improvements energy savings in poor households "Clegg said. "It's a shame that the UK has still many families who can not heat their homes. By providing sustainable improvements each year, this money will help 180,000 of the poorest households make their homes cheaper to heat for good. "

Specifically, the Department of Energy and Climate Change announced that 190 million pounds per year would fall to about 270,000 poor households in areas of fuel with low incomes by providing free loft and insulation of walls of the cavity. Meanwhile, the eligibility criteria for households eligible for free and subsidized improvements offered by the ECO Heat affordable element have become more flexible to ensure that the poorest families with low incomes can qualify to work credits tax.

The latest round of criticism this weekend saw the attack Daily Mail rules that require families to make significant improvements, such as installation of new greenhouses, to meet the minimum standards energy output or perform work through the Green Deal to improve efficiency. The reports prompted a response on Twitter from climate minister Greg Barker, who said: ".. Daily Mail that she could conservatories crazy green tax is only important extensions covered by the rules of construction can trigger energy efficiency "
The UK Green Building Council (GBC) has also issued a statement accusing the majority of reports on the rules of the agreement of the green "alarmist". "There was a tremendous amount of heat generated by these proposals, most of alarmism," said Paul King, Director General of GBC in a statement.