Media Release from City of York Council Labour Group
In York, those homeowners over 60 or over are already entitled to free loft and cavity wall insulation, in council tax bands A to C, while other heating grants and discounts are also available to certain households.
Coun. Simpson-Laing commented:
"The new ‘Warm Homes, Greener Homes' strategy launched this month really offers a good incentive to people to save energy. All homes will enjoy the benefits of smart meters, showing people exactly what they are spending and where they can cut back on their energy usage. Six million properties will be insulated by the end of next year, and all properties it is practical to insulate, to be insulated by 2015.
"That extends from some groups now to all groups. That is welcome news and a positive development in the strategy to reduce carbon emissions and in reducing our reliance upon international oil and its increasing price on the global market.
"In just ten years we should see emissions cut by almost a third, helping to save residents money. I would urge residents to see what is available now by contacting the Energy Conservation Group based in York on 554406. The ‘Warm Homes, Greener Homes' strategy will build on existing measures, and will crucially take our responsibility to cut carbon emissions seriously, rather than the empty promises of the Conservative on this issue".
Coun. Simpson-Laing added that this strategy should lead to an increase in new jobs in the energy industry as new technologies are developed.
"I had my cavity walls filled in October and even with the very cold winter, I didn't have the gas running any longer or have my thermostat at a higher temperature than the previous year. Not all homes can be insulated straight away, but the important thing is that a programme is in place to achieve this over a fixed period of time", she added.