HOME ENERGY PLANS WOULD MEAN CHEAPER BILLS IN THE BORDERS

11.35.27am GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

Borders MP Michael Moore and his Liberal Democrat parliamentary colleagues have put forward proposals to increase the energy efficiency of homes, which would lead to big savings in energy bills.

The proposals would require energy companies to use some of the £9.5 billion windfall they have received from emissions trading to insulate the homes of those on lowest incomes. The money would be put into a fund called the Warm Home Fund, which would then be used to help those households whose fuel bills exceed more than 10% of their income - households often described as living in fuel poverty.

The proposals would also establish a National Green Loans scheme, which would enable all households to apply for funding to insulate their homes. Repayments would be added to energy bills with the loan paid off from the savings in energy use.

Commenting on the proposals, Mr Moore said:

"It is a stark fact that the energy efficiency standards of 99 out of every 100 homes fall below required levels. This means that nearly every one of us is spending more on our energy bills than we should be.

"With the dramatic increases in fuel bills that we have seen over the past year, it has never been more important to improve the insulation of our homes.

"Our proposals offer a win-win situation: household fuel bills would be lowered, and emissions would be cut."