James Wild MP discusses energy bills, insulation, and renewable energy with Klimate Concern
In November, James Wild MP met representatives from Klimate Concern to discuss their petition which calls for action on bills, insulation and renewables for Norfolk.
During the discussion, James highlighted support available on both a local and national level to support households with the cost of energy bills. These measures include the Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bills Discount Scheme, Warm Home Discount Scheme alongside additional support available which can be found here: Help with your energy bills: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
James also discussed the benefits of insulation with the group, to help household bills and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. James highlighted the Government's recently launched £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme where households are able to apply for help with costs of installing insulation - saving consumers around £400 a year on energy bills. Additional help is also available through the revised Boiler Upgrade Scheme, providing households with grants up to £7,500 towards the cost of heat pumps alongside a zero rate of VAT.
Finally, the group also discussed the importance of renewable energy. James spoke about the Government's commitment to renewable energy and achieving net zero. Particular points raised include the Government's ambition to increase nuclear capacity in the UK alongside increasing the use of offshore wind, solar and hydrogen energy.
Following the meeting, James raised points discussed at the meeting with ministerial colleagues by tabelling several Written Parliamentary Questions.
James Wild MP said:
"I welcomed the opportunity to meet Klimate Concern and talk about the importance of protecting our environment.
Considerable financial support provided by the government has helped people across North West Norfolk with higher energy bills and that continues for the most vulnerable this winter, including 11,000 families locally.
We agreed that investing in major insulation programmes is vital to cut bills, reduce emissions, and boost jobs. This was a useful opportunity to set out the breadth of schemes backed by billions of pounds of funding and we need to do more to raise awareness of the support available including from the borough council.
The UK has already delivered the biggest emission reductions of major countries and I set out the government's commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 including by investing in offshore wind, nuclear, solar, and decarbonising key sectors.”
