Home insulation cuts anger Green Peter

PETER ALLEN

Green Party candidate Peter Allen says it is scandalous that the Coalition government is slashing a home insulation scheme for elderly and vulnerable people during the coldest winter on record.

Mr Allen hit out after the Department for Energy and Climate Change suspended payments under the Warm Front scheme, which provides insulation and energy efficiency products for low-income households.

The £345 million annual budget was allocated in December, but has been reduced for the next financial year to £110 million and £100 million the year after.

He said: “In my job as an advice worker I have signposted many poor owner-occupiers to Warm Front for help insulating their homes and replacing inefficient and environmentally-damaging heating systems.

“I am personally and professionally disappointed, as well as professionally disgusted, by this decision.”

Green Party policies include: Government investment in energy conservation and renewable energy programmes; an environmental tax on burning fossil fuels; improved energy efficiency standards for new and existing housing, to reduce energy bills and fuel imports, combat fuel poverty and create sustainable jobs.