MP and Cumbrian Lib Dem council leaders fight to stop Government gutting fuel poverty scheme

Local MP Tim Farron and Cumbrian Liberal Democrat council leaders have written a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to oppose the Government's plans to gut a critical scheme allowing energy inefficient homes to access grants.

The Government is poised to exclude social housing and rented accommodation from being eligible for the Energy Company Obligation scheme and impose prescriptive measures on how improvements must be carried out.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the cancellation of these changes to ensure that those most in need of help do not lose the opportunity to access these grants.

The letter was signed by 71 Liberal Democrat MPs, Peers and Council Group Leaders including the Leader of South Lakeland District Council, Giles Archibald, the Leader of Eden District Council, Virginia Taylor, and the Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council, Peter Thornton.

Tim said: "At a time when we're trying to protect people from the devastating financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle the climate emergency, it's frankly unbelievable that the Government are planning to block people from using a scheme which cuts emissions and reduces energy bills.

"With 30% of the UK's CO2 emissions coming from our homes and energy bills continuing to rocket, Liberal Democrats are calling for a 10-year programme to upgrade our homes, prioritising those in fuel poverty."