Winter Fuel Payment set to end for the "better off".
Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's latest report also says that the payment should be taxable. These measures would enable the funding of better-targeted energy efficiency programmes that benefit primarily the fuel poor and vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the report says.
The report also suggests that the current range of housing energy efficiency programmes in England should be consolidated into one comprehensive, area-based programme, delivered by local authorities.
Launching the report, committee chairman Michael Jack MP said: "We need action and clarity - not further consultation – to tackle the three elements that drive fuel poverty: prices, incomes and energy efficiency levels. The Government told us earlier this year it has plans for a 'Great British refurb' to provide basic insulation in all UK homes by 2015. The ambitions of these plans do not go far enough and so far little has been done to deliver them."
The Environment, Food & Rural Affairs committee report 'Energy efficiency and fuel poverty' is available here.
A failure by the Government to end fuel poverty for millions of the vulnerable was highlighted in a highly embarrassing test case last year.
Both green and "grey" campaign groups are took ministers to the High Court over their pledge in 2000 to wipe out the problem.
Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged said the Government did not put in place the measures needed to bring this about.
Today, around 4.5million are in fuel poverty and this figure is likely to remain in the millions for many years to come.
Fuel poverty is defined as needing to spend more than ten per cent of disposable income to have a warm home and lighting. Increasing numbers are forced to choose between buying food or turning on the central heating.
Help the Aged and Friends of the Earth argue that more funds are needed to help millions insulate their homes and install energy efficient boilers. The Government slashed funding to the Warm Front scheme, which was set up to carry out this work, by 25%.
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British are "bored" with Climate Change
A new energy report suggests that British people are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago.
4 out of 10 britons take no action at all to reduce their household carbon emissions, and twice as many people are now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Experts warn that green fatigue is one of the major reasons as to why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reductions in the mountain of packaging waste. The report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions and environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
The report, by market researchers Mintel, shows that many of Britain's 26 million homes fail to make simple adjustments such as switching off lights, turning down thermostats, and switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The findings also reveal that people are less willing to spend money on energy-efficient appliances than they were five years ago. Analysts believe the recession together with a backlash against "extreme" environmentalist pressure has reduced people's enthusiasm to combat climate change.
The report also found that resistance to saving the planet was greater among men; one in four said they think there is too much concern over the environment, compared with one in six women.
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More information on the 2016 definition of "Zero Carbon".
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps announced additional information about the new definition of "Zero Carbon".
The Government plans to investigate setting up a community energy fund which will be used to pay for district heating and renewable energy schemes.
Developers who pay into the fund will not have to install onsite renewables or microgeneration equipment. Many developers have welcomed the flexibility of paying into a fund rather than grappling with renewables on each site.
However, the full definition of 'zero-carbon' has once again been delayed. This is despite a pre-election promise to get the definition of zero carbon finalised “within weeks” of getting into office.
The new Government Housing Minister has recently announced that the coalition will review the level of on-site renewables required - before publishing the final definition of the standard, which all new homes will have to reach after 2016.
In the announcement, the Minister also re-affirmed his commitment to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016 and confirmed the introduction of the ‘Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard' which requires a minimum standard in relation to insulation levels and air tightness and thermal bridging in buildings.
Zero carbon is required of all Code for Sustainable Homes level six homes. Clarification of what zero carbon will mean is still to be decided.
If you require assistance with your Code for Sustainable Homes level requirements, contact Ecowise - we are a fully accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation.
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
