'One year on, families in Medway failed by Conservatives’ failed green plan to insulate homes' - say local lib dems
In these challenging times where energy prices and the cost of living is rising for Medway Residents, only around 180 families in Medway have been supported to better insulate their homes under the government's flagship Green Homes Grant scheme, new figures have revealed.
The scheme was meant to help people upgrade their homes to net-zero standards and cut their energy bills through fitting better insulation or heat pumps, but was scrapped early last year after just six months. However, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show how the scheme has failed families in the local area.
The data shows just 180 energy efficiency measures have been installed in homes in Medway under the Green Homes Grant scheme. Of these only 78 were for low income households.
The figures have led the Liberal Democrat to accuse the government of "abandoning families" facing soaring energy prices not just this winter but as we have seen condemning them to eye-watering heating bills.
The Green Homes Grant was launched in September 2020 promising to upgrade 600,000 homes, with vouchers of up to £10,000 to make their homes more energy efficient or replace old boilers. However it was scrapped just six months later following low take-up and severe mismanagement. The figures reveal that across the country only 39,474 homes have been helped under the scheme, including 22,000 low-income households.
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to announce an emergency programme to insulate people's homes, reduce energy bills and cut the UK's carbon emissions.
John Castle, Chair for Medway Liberal Democrat Spokesperson said: "It is shocking that so few homes in Medway have been helped to insulate their homes through the Green Homes Grant scheme.
"This initiative was launched to much fanfare and was meant to help thousands of people make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The Government must show the UK is a global leader in tackling climate change by launching an emergency programme to insulate our homes, reduce emissions and slash heating bills.
"We need to end fuel poverty and make sure that families in Medway aren't forced to choose between heating and eating."
ENDS
Notes to editors