Speaking today at the Downing Street press conference, Gordon Brown spoke of the proposed energy measures that will help households cut their gas and electricity bills through energy efficiency.

The moves come, despite several calls for a windfall tax to be imposed on the big six energy companies. Speaking of this at the conference, Brown said that the energy efficiency route is a “quicker, better and preferable way of moving forward.”

During the conference, Brown set out the Government’s three main energy objectives as, keeping fuel bills low, making energy saving a permanent drive through energy efficiency, and getting energy companies to maintain and increase their investments in such schemes.

Of the £910million that has been raised from gas and electricity providers, including energy producers, around £560million is expected to be added to the existing CERT programme (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target).

The funds in CERT will then subsidise loft and cavity wall insulation for all households and make these measures free for low income households that are struggling to cope.

The remaining £350million will go towards a new Community Energy Saving Programme that will bring together councils, voluntary organisations and energy companies who will carry out house-to-house calls and offer help to those who need it most.

Further measures announced today include the increase of Cold Weather Payments from £8.50 to £25 per week in the event of a harsh winter. This is on top of the pending increases to the Winter Fuel Payment that were announced in the Budget.

Speaking of the announcements, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: “The Government has a longstanding commitment to help those living in fuel poverty, but recent price rises mean we are committed to do even more to assist people in reducing their bills where possible. And energy companies must do their bit too.

“This plan is about giving help, not only over weeks and months, but over the coming years by enabling householders to make their homes more enrgy efficient.”

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