Dear Editor,

Two of the current crises afflicting us are climate change and cost of living. You would think that the latest Conservative Government would have used home insulation as a way of tackling two problems for the price of one. Nationally, 13 million homes across the UK have poor energy efficiency ratings and the Conservatives’ failure to upgrade homes leaves some households paying nearly £1,900 more than needed. The total cost due to the lack of insulation is an eye-watering £13bn. 

Households in poorly insulated homes are set to pay significantly more in energy bills. Analysis by the Liberal Democrats shows 29,426 homes across Basingstoke and Deane and 16,931 in Test Valley have received poor energy efficiency ratings (EPC Bands D-G) since 2008. These households pay an average of £931 more a year than those with a Band C rating. Meanwhile, those on the lowest energy efficiency ratings pay nearly £1,350 more a year. The Government’s target is for all homes to be Band C or better by 2035.

The Conservative Government’s failure to insulate Britain’s homes is leading to families in Test Valley paying over £16m more a year for their energy bills whilst in Basingstoke and Deane families are paying more than £28m. Failure to tackle our cold and leaky homes has piled misery on top of the cost-of-living crisis. It has left families struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table. Now is the time for this new Conservative prime minister to make our homes warmer. If they do not, we are facing another energy crisis in the future. An emergency package of support is needed to fix our leaky homes and cut energy bills in the long term. We need to now Demand Better for Going Greener.

Luigi Gregori

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for North West Hants