ECA joins calls for unprecedented action on energy prices in Spring Budget
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has signed two open letters to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, calling for urgent action to address the cost-of-living crisis and reduce consumers’ energy bills.
ECA joined the Renewable Energy Association (REA), Solar Energy UK, and a wide coalition of industry, supplier, and environmental bodies calling on the Chancellor to take unprecedented action in his upcoming Spring Statement.
The open letter from the REA, co-signed by ECA and over 20 organisations including Octopus Energy, Good Energy, and Ecotricity, urges the Government to take steps including moving ‘green’ levies into general taxation, suspending VAT on energy bills, and establishing an effective home insulation scheme.
Read the full March 2022 letter by the Renewable Energy Association here
In parallel, the open letter from Solar Energy UK calls on the Chancellor to reduce the rate of VAT on domestic renewable and energy efficiency technologies to 0%. The letter adds that the cut in VAT "would help to increase the resilience of individual households and reduce their energy costs, while also increasing our national energy security."
Read the full March 2022 letter by Solar Energy UK here
Steve Bratt, electrical contractors association CEO, said: “Global shocks to the economy have sent energy prices skyrocketing. The price hikes are frightening and are set to plunge millions into fuel poverty. Yet, the solution to energy price volatility is right under our noses. By rebalancing the taxation system in favour of clean energy, fuel bills will come down. Clean electricity has the advantage of being a more secure, stable and cheaper energy source than other fuels. Greater government investment in renewable energy will generate cheaper electricity, and bring long term stability and relief from spiralling prices.”
Luke Osborne, electrical contractors association’s Energy & Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, said: “Our best chance at tackling the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis lies in Government’s ability to prioritise renewable energy, and focus on reaching Net Zero Carbon as soon as possible. The evidence is no longer up for debate: we have the right tools to cut carbon and lower bills. Let’s start by cutting VAT on domestic renewables.”
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- COP21 Paris 2015.
- CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Energy Targets for buildings.
- Emission rates.
- Energy Act.
- Energy certificates.
- Energy consumption.
- English Housing Survey 2018-19 reports released.
- Energy Related Products Regulations.
- Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
- Heating degree days.
- Organisations prompt government to Build Back Green.
- Performance gap.
- Renewable energy.
- Shaping Zero seeks carbon champions.
- Simple payback.
- Sustainability.
- The Carbon Plan: Delivering our low carbon future.
Featured articles and news
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.