The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged the Government to use the Autumn Budget to devolve all funding for retrofitting social and fuel poor homes to councils.
The call comes after a report found that energy bills would be 55% higher this winter than before the energy crisis began in 2021, despite households preparing to use less gas and electricity.
Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that a typical UK home at the Government’s target Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C will pay £900 for gas and electricity this winter compared to an average of £580 between 2017 and 2020.
Homes that are less energy efficient and rated band F will pay about £1,290, compared to an average of £850 before the energy crisis.
According to the ECIU, UK homes rated EPC band D or lower will spend collectively £2.4bn more for gas this winter than if they were all rated band C.
The organisation warned that there had been little progress on energy efficiency schemes over the past decade, with insulation rates dropping by 90% since 2012.
LGA environment spokesperson Adam Hug said: ‘This analysis reinforces the need for accelerated action to rapidly retrofit fuel-poor homes.
‘Now is the time to shift from a national approach to one that is locally led, allowing councils to target the homes that need the support most.’
This month, energy secretary Ed Miliband told the Labour Party Conference that ministers will now expect council and social homes to achieve an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of at least C by 2030.
