Insulation programme best use of energy company funds
26 August 2008
Funds
from the energy companies should be used to fund a national
insulation programme, according to the Local Government Association
(LGA).
A move to install cavity wall insulation and loft insulation in
homes up and down the country would be the best long-term solution
to fuel poverty, the LGA claimed.
According to the Evening Standard, members from the three main
parties who work at the LGA called for annual charge to be levied
on energy companies, which in many cases have sent their profits
rise even as they hike the cost to consumers.
Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said:
"One-off payments to deal with rising energy bills will be of help
to many households but will do little to tackle the root causes of
fuel poverty. A national home insulation programme would be the
best long-term solution."
Gordon Brown, freshly returned from Beijing Olympics, is said to be
considering levying a windfall tax on the record profits, including
on British Gas, which saw its parent firm Centrica earn almost £1
billion before announcing a 35 per cent price hike.,
However, chancellor Alistair Darling is said to oppose the move as
he is concerned consumers would end up paying for the tax.
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