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BEIS energy efficiency measures right to focus on low-income households, says Citizens Advice

29 March 2018

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:

“Today’s 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.”

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.