Energy Action Scotland, the fuel poverty charity, has given a partial welcome to the government plans to move ‘green levies’ from household energy bills.
Norman Kerr, Director, Energy Action Scotland said: “The announcement that some elements of fuel bills aimed at providing support to vulnerable customers are to be moved to general taxation shows that Government has been listening to fuel poverty campaigners. This change will mean that funds are raised in a manner that is much fairer than the previous ‘blanket levy’ on all bills regardless of ability to pay.
“But we are alarmed that Government is watering down the effect of the Energy Companies Obligation by giving the energy companies longer to reach the same overall target. Improving the energy efficiency of homes is the most effective and sustainable means of reducing the amount of energy people need to use and we need to be more ambitious in this respect.
“It is a retrograde step that measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes that are harder to treat, such as with solid wall insulation, are being reined back in favour of the more common and cheaper measures. Progress does need to be made in order to support people that live in the least energy efficient homes.”
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