MP BACKS CHANGES FOR BETTER INSULATION FOR CUMBRIAN HOMES

Yesterday, in Parliament during a debate on Energy Company Obligation Schemes (ECO4) Cumbrian MP Tim Farron raised numerous significant flaws in the Government's scheme to make homes more energy efficiency.

Tim questioned the Government's attention to detail when drafting the new scheme. Not only does the new 'ECO4' grant not cover the cost of building materials due to inflation but there is little consideration given to single-wall homes and listed properties. Tim raised his concerns as many properties in the Lake District are single-walled, listed, or in conservation areas.

Speaking during the debate, Tim said: "The funds provided to those installing insulation do not meet the costs, especially for single-wall properties.

"As we have heard, on average there has been a 77% increase in the cost of materials. Insulation is not happening because companies simply cannot afford to do it, and it is much more expensive to do the work on single-wall properties, which need it most."

Cumbria Action for Sustainability, who have been working closely with Tim on this matter, have said that the reason the previous schemes fund failed was a lack of workers who know how to insulate single-walled homes. Tim said: "The situation is no better now. Retrofitting, for example, still does not feature in most relevant training schemes.".

Cumbria Action for Sustainability have also said that, currently, no private landlords in Cumbria have signed up to the scheme.

Tim finished with: "ECO4 is, in principle, better than its predecessors but, if it does not work in practice, people in Cumbria and elsewhere in our country will suffer.

"I will argue that ours is the most beautiful bit of the country, though it is often the coldest and the wettest, too.

"There are extremes of wealth and poverty, and it is hard for many of my constituents to cope with the financial costs and deprivations that go with that. More than a third of our housing stock is single-wall properties.

"Cumbria needs the Government to get ECO4 right.

"I hope they will hear the practical and constructive suggestions made by colleagues on all sides in this debate, and act accordingly."