2.4m Families in Fuel Poverty

The number of families living in fuel poverty remains ‘broadly unchanged’ since 2012, despite government promises to tackle the problem. Statistics published by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) show around 2.35 million households were living in fuel poverty in 2013, representing 10.4% of England. The Fuel Poverty Annual Report 2015 said: ‘This is broadly unchanged from 2.36 million households in 2012 [a change of around 0.5%].’ In July 2013, former Liberal Democrat energy secretary Ed Davey said the government was committed to tackling fuel poverty, despite scrapping a target to eradicate the problem. At the time, the government was accused of ‘shifting the goalposts on fuel poverty’. Download a copy of the report from the DECC website.

Green Deal Finance Company to Accept £34m Bailout

Investors in the Green Deal Finance Company, which provides loans for the troubled Green Deal energy insulation programme, are set to back the Government’s £34million bailout of the firm, but regard it as a short-term fix. GDFC turned to Energy Secretary Ed Davey for funding after the state-backed Green Investment Bank refused to continue lending to it beyond the end of the year. GDFC needs to sign 60,000 households a year to break even, but in the past 18 months has signed only 5,922. Read more on the Daily Mail website.

Extra £100m Green Deal Funding Announced

The government has announced a further £100m for green deal improvements after the scheme closed suddenly in July. Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, announced the additional cash which will be available to fund energy efficiency improvements for homes. Details of how to bid for the funding, and what measures it will cover, will be unveiled in November. Read more on Inside Housing.

Households Clear Out New £7,600 Per Home Green Deal Cashback

Households have claimed £25m from the Government to install insulation and double glazing in the first month of a new cashback scheme. The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) said 4,405 households in England and Wales have received vouchers to carry out home improvements under the second phase of the Green Deal. The first phase, a loan scheme, was criticised for being too complicated. Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, said the initial figures exceeded expectations. “The early evidence suggests we have got it right,” he told The Telegraph.  Households can claim up to £7,600 each to install energy saving measures, with the most generous cashback rates on insulation for solid walls. The work has to be financed upfront and then money can be claimed back. There is a pot of £120m available to households this year on a “first come, first served” basis. Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.

Minister Defends Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

The energy and climate change secretary has defended the financing of the government’s green deal scheme after campaigners warned it will fail unless it is improved. Speaking to the Energy and Climate Change Committee Ed Davey said the 7 to 7.5 per cent interest rate expected on loans to improve home energy efficiency is ‘extremely competitive for unsecured lending’. The defence of the scheme came after consumer groups, environmental campaigners and businesses wrote to Mr Davey warning the green deal and energy company obligation will fail without changes.  Read more on Inside Housing.