Northumberland Labour supports the national party’s mission for greener homes and lower energy bills

An older housing stock and no control over failing landlords is leaving homes owners and renters with rising energy bills, say Labour.

Northumberland Labour Lynne Grimshaw Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business said: “Millions of families across the country are facing a cost of living crisis with soaring energy bills. We know that the UK has a lot of older homes which are not adequately insulated, are draughty and suffer from heat loss.

The government’s own estimates say 600,000 gas boilers need to be replaced with heat pumps each year. The 30,000 they propose will barely scratch the surface.

“We have the double whammy of an energy crisis and a climate crisis. The government can surely not expect people to find the money to make the changes to insulation and heating alongside the other pressures they face.

“The government knew this was an issue years ago and, as usual, have done little or nothing about it.”

Labour has a 10 year plan  investing £6bn a year for home insulation and zero carbon heating to cut bills by £400 per year, improve energy security, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions.

They also pledge to upgrade the 19 million homes that fall below energy efficiency standards (EPC Band C) within a decade and provide grants to low-income households and low interest loans to those able to pay to cover the cost of retrofitting. Households will pay no upfront costs and see their bills fall immediately.

Lynne added: “Labour’s plan will also create skilled jobs for people involved in retrofitting homes. That means more jobs for local people and more people paying tax to fund improvements. It’s a win: win situation.”