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The Labour party is ready to declare war on the UK’s widespread energy inefficiency, with a five-point election manifesto, set out today by shadow energy minister Caroline Flint.
Flint told the Labour party conference on Tuesday morning that the party’s plans would make 5 million homes more energy efficient within ten years without additional government spending or adding to consumer energy bills.
The proposed measures follow Labour’s pledge one year ago to freeze energy bills for 18 months if elected whilst “resetting” the energy market.
“But the cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use,” Flint said.
A Labour government would make 1 million interest-free loans available to homeowners in a bid to overhaul the floundering Green Deal scheme which has suffered limited uptake since its launch.
At the same time Labour said it will ensure that half a million free home energy reports are made available every year, so families know where and how they can cut their energy bills.
For those on low incomes Flint said the existing Energy Company Obligation (ECO) would be used to fund energy efficient homes.
“And unlike this Government, we’ll get the job done properly in one go and put local authorities and communities in the driving seat,” she said.
Private landlords will be responsible for funding energy efficiency improvements for the 3 million people who currently rent, and will need to meet a mandatory minimum standard of energy efficiency by 2027 under the party’s plans.
“Now that’s a battle plan. It will take time. But be in no doubt, Labour will make saving energy a national infrastructure priority,” Flint told the conference.
Speaking at a UK Green Building Council conference event on Sunday night Flint hinted that a street by street rollout of energy efficiency measures could be introduced, should her party win the general election in May.
Flint also took aim at UKIP saying that a vote for the climate-sceptic fringe party would undermine the UK’s burgeoning low carbon sector and the economic benefits it could bring.
“Sceptics like Farage need only look to China to see that low carbon is where the smart money is. It is Labour that will lead our nation, to a low carbon, clean energy Britain. Investing in renewables, carbon capture and storage for coal and gas, safe nuclear power and warmer, low energy homes,” Flint said.
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