Reacting to new Energy Secretary Ed Davey’s support for energy efficiency today, announced in front of industry leaders in his first speech in the job, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“Ed Davey is right that insulation is the cheapest way to cut fuel bills, but the Government’s Green Deal means fewer homes will be insulated and that Britain’s poorest people will be left out in the cold.

“It’s scandalous that more than five million UK households are struggling to keep warm in bitter temperatures.

 “Ed Davey must make it cheaper and easier to save energy at home, and introduce rules to ensure properties are well insulated when they are sold.

“This – and developing clean British energy from our sun, wind and waves – is our best hope for fuel bills we can all afford.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. Friends of the Earth’s reaction to the introduction of the Green Deal, and information about our Final Demand campaign for clean British energy we can all afford, can be found here