Home insulation funds ‘diverted to eco schemes’

Funds intended to help poor households improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills are being directed to decarbonisation projects instead, a report has warned.

The Committee on Fuel Poverty said it was “unacceptable” that the Government had failed to achieve its aim of ensuring all fuel poor homes had an energy efficiency rating of E or higher by 2020 “despite schemes and funding being able to meet it”.

“While we understand the commitment to decarbonise heating, it is important to recognise that decarbonisation is not the same as fuel efficiency as it does not necessarily lead to reduced fuel bills,” it added.