LOCAL MP DEMANDS GOVERNMENT DO MORE TO INSULATE HOMES AMID ENERGY CRISIS
Today research from the Liberal Democrats has revealed that 28,422 of poorly insulated homes in South Lakeland are paying £27,090,586 more in heating bills.
The Government's failure to insulate Britain's homes is leading to families in South Lakeland paying over £27,090,586 more a year for their energy bills.
The research shows 28,422 homes across the South Lakes have received poor energy efficiency ratings (EPC Bands D-G) since 2008; in neighbouring Eden, there are 15,887 homes with poor ratings. These households pay an average of £931 more a year than those with a Band C rating. Meanwhile, those on the lowest energy efficiency ratings pay nearly £1,350 more a year.
It means that in total, households in poorly insulated homes in the South Lakes are set to pay an estimated £27,090,586 more in energy bills a year because the Government has failed to bring them up to at least a Band C rating. The Government's target is for all homes to be Band C or better by 2035.
Nationally, 13 million homes across the UK have poor energy efficiency ratings and the Conservatives' failure to upgrade homes leaves some households paying nearly £1,900 more than needed. The total cost due to the lack of insulation is an eye-watering £13 Billion.
In some areas over four in five families are living in drafty homes. Local MP, Tim Farron is calling for an emergency programme to insulate our homes which would bring down bills and improve the community's energy security.
Speaking today, Tim said: "This Government's failure to tackle our cold and drafty homes has piled misery on top of the cost-of-living crisis. It has left families in the South Lakes struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
"Now is the time for the new Conservative Prime Minister to make our homes warmer. If they don't, we are facing another energy crisis in the future.
"An emergency package of support is needed to fix drafty homes within the Lake District and cut energy bills in the long term."