Britain’s coldest homes offered £1bn in energy saving grants
HUNDREDS of thousands of homes will get free insulation under a three-year Government scheme being announced today.
The £1billion ECO+ programme will provide loft and cavity wall insulation, saving eligible residents around £310 in energy costs.
Run with energy suppliers, 80% of the help will go to homes in lower council tax bands with an EPC rating of D or below – which are not currently eligible for other schemes.
The other 20% will go to the most vulnerable, including those on meanstested benefits. There will be more details today before the three-year scheme launches in April.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps said people would see the scheme “protecting pounds and creating jobs”.
Shadow Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This is far too little too late and will help only a tiny fraction of people facing an emergency.”
An £18million publicity blitz will today urge people to turn down their boiler flow temperature from 75C to 60C – saving £160 a year off bills for a typical home. Families will also be urged to turn down radiators and draught-proof their houses.