Posted 24.07.15
In light of low take-up and concerns about industry standards there will be no further funding to the Green Deal Finance Company.
The Government will work with the building industry and consumer groups on a new value-for-money approach, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd announced.
Amber Rudd also announced that the Government will stop any future funding releases of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.
This decision has no impact on existing Green Deal Finance Plans or existing Green Deal Home Improvement Fund applications and vouchers.
This announcement comes as part of Government's wider review of energy policies. The Energy and Climate Change Secretary has confirmed that her first priority is to get spending under control.
The Government has commissioned an independent review led by Peter Bonfield to look at standards, consumer protection and enforcement of energy efficiency schemes and ensure that the system properly supports and protects consumers.
Posted 21.07.15
A new independent energy supply company, the first in the UK operating on a non-profit distributing basis, plans to be selling heat and power to tenants in 200,000 homes across Scotland by 2020.
Our Power Energy, a subsidiary of Our Power Community Benefit Society, has been founded by 35 member organisations including some of Scotland's largest housing associations, and local authorities.
The company will enter the market at the end of 2015 as an Ofgem licenced supplier of gas and electricity to provide lower cost energy to the tenants and communities of its member organisations.
It expects to save its members up to 10%t on their household utility bills compared to standard commercial tariffs.
Over the next five years, this could see up to £11 million of savings for households in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country.
Our Power, a living wage employer, is backed by £2.5 million from the Scottish Government and another £1 million from Social Investment Scotland, both in the form of repayable loans.
In the future, Our Power hopes to develop renewable energy projects as part of its business for the benefit of local communities.
Updated 14.07.15
Barriers and solutions to energy efficiency in private rented flats
The University of Oxford, City of Westminster and Future Climate are investigating energy improvements in private flats.
A workshop was held in March to examine the issue in more depth. This blog summarises the workshop and thoughts of contributors on the day.
Osborne's budget turns away from the environment
We always knew that the new Government's first priority was not going to be clean air or the environment. It is though still surprising to see the brazen way in which it is being downplayed, especially as we are told the Government still supports the global 2 degree climate change target.
Does it? Can it square the circle? Let's have a look at the impact of the Budget announcements.
Planning ahead...what the latest fuel poverty statistics tell us about our homes
It can be difficult addressing the challenges of fuel poverty with attention currently focussed on how to keep cool. However, it is important to continue working towards reducing the numbers of households in fuel poverty before the next heating period.
The Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics report was recently published; presenting the latest statistical trends and analysis relating to fuel poverty in 2013.
This blog takes a closer look at who the fuel poor are and the key differences in the statistics from 2012 to 2013.
