NIA responds to Caroline Flint’s speech at Labour Party Conference

Following the speech today by Labour's shadow energy and climate change secretary, Caroline Flint, announcing its ambitious new energy efficiency strategy the National Insulation Association (NIA) has welcomed the proposals.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “We welcome the proposals to introduce a long term plan and targets for energy efficiency and to designate it as an infrastructure priority. This is something we have been campaigning hard for as it will provide the industry with much needed certainty and stability to allow for effective investment and business planning.  In addition, we are encouraged by the proposal to provide 1 million Interest Free Loans which has the potential to kick start the Green Deal market and the proposal to provide a comprehensive package of measures to all low income households which will future proof these properties against fuel poverty.

“Whilst we will want to consider the detail of the announcements further, we look forward to working with Caroline Flint and her team in formulating a detailed implementation plan following the publication of the Labour Party Green Paper. 

“However, we also believe that there is scope to go further, faster.  Additional funding would enable the 6 million low income households to be treated more quickly and this could be forthcoming from the National Infrastructure Fund.  In addition, we believe that the Interest Free Loans for Green Deal would benefit from being supplemented by additional long term demand drivers including council tax and stamp duty incentives.”

Marshall added: “There are over 7 million homes that have inadequate Loft Insulation, over 5 million that require Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) and almost 8 million homes that need Solid Wall Insulation (SWI) and therefore these proposals to strengthen energy efficiency policies and programmes are welcomed.”