Welsh Government urged to maximise benefits of UK Government’s new home energy efficiency scheme

A North Wales MS  has called on the Welsh Government to maximise the UK Government’s new energy efficiency scheme, Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Plus scheme deliver the rapid installation of energy efficiency measures to households.

The new scheme – which will save consumers around £310 a year – will benefit those on the lowest income and those in the least energy efficient homes in the lower council tax bands

Mark Isherwood, who is Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, questioned the Social Justice Minister, who he Shadows, in a meeting of the Welsh Parliament last week.

Mr Isherwood asked what engagement the Welsh Government has had with the UK Government over the scheme, which aims to see hundreds of thousands of homes receive new home insulation.

He said: “Thank you again, Minister, for attending last week’s meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, at which you, amongst other things, stated that the Welsh Government’s focus is on improving the energy efficiency of Welsh homes, noting, amongst other things, improvements to the Nest scheme, and that the Welsh Government will seek to maximise opportunities presented by ECO4.

“What engagement have you or your colleagues therefore had, or will you be having with the UK Government regarding the new ECO Plus scheme, known as ECO4, which aims to see hundreds of thousands of homes receive new home insulation, saving consumers around £310 a year, extending support to those in the least energy-efficient homes in the lower Council Tax bands, as well as targeting the most vulnerable, and extending support to those who do not currently benefit from any other Government support to upgrade their homes?”

In her response, the Minister for Social Justice, said:

“Clearly, my colleague the Minister for Climate Change is very engaged in this and engaged with the UK Government in terms of seeing what benefit this ECO4 is going to have in terms of our situation. Because, obviously, energy efficiency and energy efficiency in terms of our Warm Homes programme, is crucial to actually addressing fuel poverty.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said:

“This new £1 billion UK Government funding follows £6 billion new UK Government funding announced to back the target to reduce energy demand by 15% by 2030 and £6.6 billion for their ‘Help to Heat’ Schemes.”