Simon Brammer, Head of Cities at Ashden said:

“Ashden welcomes Grant Shapps’ announcement of an extra £1bn for energy efficiency- however this covers just a few hundred thousand homes over the next three years, compared to 19 millions homes that must be insulated by 2035 to hit the government’s own net zero targets.

Most importantly, and quite incredibly, the funding doesn’t come into effect until April next year at the end of winter, so what are the government doing to protect vulnerable people right now during the cold months before April?

To reach the target of 19m homes insulated, the government must also urgently tackle the retrofit skills crisis, working with local councils and FE colleges to train people across the country. We need a 10-year plan with committed funding.”

Ashden recently published the Retrofit: Creating Warmer Homes policy briefing, which shares examples from around the UK of local authorities which have already taken proactive action on energy efficiency which I can put you in touch with.