The Labour Party have just announced our ‘Warm Homes for All’ plan the largest upgrade of UK housing since post war reconstruction.
Landlords will be be regulated to ensure that their properties are warm and efficient. And homeowners will be given either grants or interest free loans to install energy saving measures to their homes. All new builds will also be required to meet a higher level of energy efficiency.
This is a policy I am really excited about as it’s something I’ve been working on for a long time, both as shadow minister for energy and climate change and locally with the The Environment Centre (tEC) and housing providers. It not only tackles the problem in new builds and social housing but also the private rented sector and owner occupied homes.
Southampton has some of the most energy inefficient housing stock in the UK and a high proportion of people living in privately rented accommodation with ever increasing rents.
People in our city often have extortionate heating bills and find their homes are still cold and damp. Many of them have to choose between heating their homes vs feeding their families in the colder months.
This policy will not only eradicate the vast majority of fuel poverty but make a massive impact on tackling the climate emergency. It would cut carbon emissions by 10% which is the equivalent of taking 7 in 10 cars off the road. Great for people, great for the environment.