Citizens Advice has responded to the announcement by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that it plans to focus the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) on low-income households.
Victoria MacGregor, Director of Energy at Citizens Advice, said:
“This announcement is welcome news for consumers. Focusing the scheme on low-income households is a move we’ve long supported.
“There's limited support currently available for consumers to make their homes more energy efficient, so it’s right that it is focused on the people who need it most. Increasing the involvement of local bodies should also help ensure support gets to consumers who might otherwise miss out.
“Yet, if the Government is to meet fuel poverty targets, more investment will be needed. Private landlords should be required to ensure that all their properties are truly energy efficient. The Government should require private landlords to carry out works up to the value of £5,000, to bring these homes up to standard.”
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