Energy price cap: insulate homes to protect people from “life-changing” energy costs

***Spokespeople available for interview***

Reacting to this morning’s announcement by the regulator Ofgem that the energy price cap will rise from £1,971 to £3,549 this October, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Today’s news will be life-changing for millions of people. The government, and the two frontrunners to be Prime Minister, have had all summer to set out how they’ll shield households from these colossal price hikes, yet we still don’t have a credible plan.

“Decision-makers must urgently commit to much greater levels of emergency financial support and the rapid roll-out of a nationwide, street-by-street home insulation programme targeted at those who need it most.

“There are almost 5 million homes in England and Wales that lack even the most basic insulation measures, meaning too many households are paying through the roof to heat their homes. At this stage there’s no justifying the total absence of plans to improve the energy efficiency of UK homes, when it would help to slash energy use, reduce climate-changing emissions, and save households hundreds of pounds each year on their bills.”