An End to Cold Homes - Labour's energy efficiency green paper
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Caroline Flint MP, announced plans to tackle cold homes at the Labour Party Conference in September 2014. The plans aim to upgrade at least 5 million homes over 10 years and save the average household more than £270 a year on their energy bill.
Labour suggest that energy bills in the least energy efficient properties are over £1,000 a year higher than homes with good insulation and propose increasing home insulation, delivering permanent savings on energy bills and making the homes of millions of people warmer.
On 10 November 2014, the Labour Party published 'An End to Cold Homes - Labour's energy efficiency green paper', setting out more detailed proposals for consultation.
The report claims government policy has been ineffective, suggesting that, ‘Just 2,581 households have had measures installed under the Green Deal since its launch nearly two years ago, and the Energy Company Obligation has resulted in a significant fall in the installation of energy efficiency improvements and will leave nine out of ten fuel poor households in fuel poverty.”
The report proposes:
- Providing personalised home energy reports for half a million homes a year.
- Delivering free energy efficiency improvements to at least 200,000 low-income households a year.
- Offering up to a million interest-free loans for home improvements in the next Parliament (this is seen as a direct response to criticisms that financing charges for the green deal are too high).
- Setting a new target for landlords to improve cold and ‘leaky’ properties.
- Designating energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority.
- Streamlining regulations.
- Providing a long-term strategy to support investment in energy efficiency by businesses.
In relation to zero-carbon homes, Labour suggest that the coalition government has watered down the definition and that, '...Labour remains committed to zero carbon homes and a genuine definition as set out by the Zero Carbon Hub. Labour is also opposed to an indefinite exemption of small sites. We will work with the industry to ensure this ground breaking policy is implemented under the next Labour Government... In addition, Labour will continue to ensure that extensions to existing properties, including those covered by permitted development, are subject to full building regulation control to achieve compliance with high energy efficiency standards.'
Labour suggest that the proposals set out in the green paper are based on existing planned spending and, ‘…are about making much better use of this money to ensure we help as many people as possible – they do not require any additional spending.’
Flint said, “We make demands of landlords, we challenge energy companies to raise their game and we insist on public money delivering value for you, the taxpayer.”
Chief executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Paul King said, “This is a well-intentioned plan that recognises the importance of a long-term, multi-Parliament approach, designed to give industry the confidence it needs to invest.” However, the lack of new funding has received some criticism. In particular, it is difficult to see how designating energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority will be effective without additional financial support.
Responses to the consultation document had to be submitted by 22 December 2014.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 judges choice winner
Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 public choice winner
Fresco School by Roman Robroek.
HE expands finance alliance to boost SME house building
Project follows on from Habiko public-private place making pension partnership for affordable housing delivery.
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
How orchards can influence planning and development.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year award
Shortlist set to go head-to-head for prestigious industry title.
HSE simplified advice for installers of stone worktops
After company fined for repeatedly failing to protect workers.
Co-located with 10th year of UK Construction Week.
Time for knapping, no time for napping
Decorative split stone square patterns in facades.
A practical guide to the use of flint in design and architecture.