Mar 15 2006
British Gas today announced an initiative offering 880,000 householders across Britain the opportunity of rebates worth up to £100 on their council tax if they install energy efficiency measures. The Environment Minister, Elliot Morley launched the national programme with British Gas in London Borough of Croydon, one of 16 local authorities that have already committed to offer the rebates to their residents.
The initiative is designed to deliver a step change in take up of energy efficiency measures. A staggering £1 in every £3 spent on heating is currently being wasted through the 10.3 million homes in the UK with insufficient insulation. A further forty councils are now in discussion with British Gas about proposals for similar schemes across Britain. Under the Government’s Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA), all local authorities are required to publish a report about the measures they have taken to improve the energy efficiency of their residential accommodation.
Over a five year period households could save up to £485. If all eligible households over the sixteen local authorities sign up to the programme, this could result in annual carbon saving of around 193,000 tonnes.
Mark Clare, Managing Director, British Gas said, “Around 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions come from the household sector making improvements in domestic energy efficiency key to delivering the Government’s carbon emission reduction targets. However, consumer apathy means that customers are not realising the benefits of energy efficiency.
He continued: “Residents are already benefitting from council tax rebates, our scheme shows that tax breaks motivate middle income households to reduce energy waste and help deliver a low carbon economy. This is a real opportunity for other councils to show their commitment to help protect the environment and for the public to benefit from lower council tax and energy bills. We’d like more local authorities to sign up and welcome the Government’s support today for this initiative.”
Elliot Morley, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, said: “I welcome the positive and innovative approach of British Gas and local authorities, this is a good example of how the government’s Energy Efficiency Commitment is benefiting millions of people through subsidised home improvements – and in a period of high energy prices it is an opportunity to make major savings.
“Since 2002 around 10million households, six million of them on low incomes, have benefited with the help of a range of energy suppliers across the country from warmer, more comfortable homes and lower fuel bills, with the added benefit of significant cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases which cause climate change.“I am pleased to see that the British Gas scheme is being extended to more areas as it is a very effective approach.“
Cllr Alison Butler, cabinet member for housing, said: "Croydon Council is committed to playing its part in making the borough cleaner, greener and a place where the efficient use of resources becomes a way of life.
She continued: "The theme of Croydon's recent housing conference was the environment and how we can all make a difference by ensuring our homes are more energy efficient. This is a great incentive and one where residents can do their bit to cut energy consumption and it should help eliminate fuel poverty and cut heating bills too