Links between green policies and fuel rises inaccurate12 September 2011
Recent reports that environmental policy reforms will add £300 to household fuel bills are wide of the mark.
A report in the Telegraph said household energy bills will rise by £300 by 2020 because of environmental policies.
But what's the reality behind the claim?
First, the newspaper based its story on a letter to the Prime Minister from senior adviser Ben Moxham. He warned of a 30% price rise by 2020 - but only for electricity, not for a household's total fuel bill.
On average we spend less on electricity than gas. So the rise would be much lower - at £135 a year.
Second, it's fossil fuels that are driving up bills - not green energy policies.
Burning cash
Between 2010 and 2011 the price of coal for power stations increased by 32%. The price of gas rose by 28%.
And some 5.5 million households now spend more than 10% of their income on energy.
That's why we want the Government to get serious about energy saving:
The Government should focus on ensuring landlords properly insulate homes.
Craig Bennett, Campaigns Director, Friends of the Earth
After 2018 it will be illegal to let homes with the two worst energy-efficiency ratings. This could save £488 on average in cold homes, take 150,000 households out of fuel poverty - and cut almost 2 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
We want to:
- Make it illegal for agents and landlords to market a poorly insulated property.
- Ensure landlords bring cold rented properties to the minimum standard by 2016.
- Protect tenants from eviction when they demand energy efficiency measures.
Please tell the Housing Minister to end the delay in cutting emissions and energy bills in cold rented homes.
© Evan Prodromou
