The government should do more to promote energy efficiency or risk finding itself in an even more difficult position next year.
That’s the view of the Institute for Government. Its new report finds that the UK’s homes are amongst the least energy efficient in Europe.
The report will resonate with those concerned about energy efficiency issues within the private rental sector.
It says: “The Johnson government and now seemingly the Truss government have so far ignored energy efficiency in their responses”.
The IfG report says the UK is paying the price for a decade of failure on energy policy, with ministers giving the issue insufficient attention.
It says the new Truss government has been forced into adopting “a series of necessary but suboptimal policies this year in the face of a catastrophic rise in energy prices”.
But it warns that if the government focuses only on short-term financial support, and long-term measures to boost supply that are unlikely to have a major impact, it will find itself in an even more difficult position in a year’s time.
“Funding very high energy costs through borrowing, without a strategy to reduce demand, will prove unsustainable” warns the IfG.
Citing successful campaigns in some other countries it adds: “Launched immediately, a concerted national effort to improve energy efficiency could deliver significant savings within a year – and substantial benefits in the years beyond.
“Such a programme was already required if the UK is to stay on track for net zero. In an era of energy instability, it should now be seen as critical for protecting consumers and businesses and boosting resilience.”
You can see the very extensive IfG report here.