A GROUP of environmental campaigners has launched a new advocacy group in Reading, urging action on fuel poverty this winter.
Reading Friends of the Earth, a climate campaign group, has launched the new initiative, Reading for Warm Homes.
It was launched as part of a nationwide campaign working towards UK homes remaining heated “without costing the Earth.”
The day saw action across the country and online to demand swift, practical action on fuel poverty and the energy crisis.
Campaigners gathered outside Reading’s Town Hall on Saturday, December 5, with banners and placards calling for the government to fix insulation in homes and maximise the use of renewable energy.
The group says that these measures combined will bring down energy prices, reduce the carbon footprint of our energy use, and crucially allow residents to keep their houses warm.
John Booth of Reading Friends of the Earth, who coordinated the event, said: “It was great to see so many people from different groups joining us to call for more central government action.
“We had a good response from the public we leafleted– we would like to hear from other local groups, and people keen to meet up early next year to take this forward.
“Reading Council has some good initiatives to help people in need and a program of property improvement but much more government funding is needed to speed things up.
He explained that Reading Friends of the Earth has analysed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data for all the homes in Reading.
They found that less than 5% of Reading homes are fully insulated, and more than 60% of Reading homes lack roof or loft insulation.
The use of such insulation would be an improvement which would be paid back in less than 2 years in savings.
It also found that around 40% of Reading homes lack cavity wall insulation, an improvement which would be paid back in savings within 4 years, it says.
He continued: “EPCs estimate the energy consumption per unit floor area of a property and award energy ratings from A down to G.
“The average home in Reading uses about 33% more energy than a ‘C’ rating so there is a lot of scope for cost-effective improvement.”
The group is seeking to unite communities and organisations across the area that are working towards the common goal of warm homes, lower prices, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Reading for Warm Homes’ Graham Hudson said: “The colder days are drawing in but the worst months are yet to come.
“And still the government has no credible plan to ease the pain of the cost of living crisis for millions of people, or lower our energy bills for good.
“Even with the package of financial support announced by the last PM, the number of people facing fuel poverty this winter has more than doubled compared to last year.
He continued: “Clearly, there are too many facing bleak and difficult months ahead and in desperate need of support.
“But going beyond the short-term and rolling out the measures that will help to lower bills for good must also be at the top of the government’s agenda.
“By committing to a nationwide insulation program and a plan to rapidly ramp up the production of cheap, clean, and popular renewable energy, the government can slash energy bills, cut carbon emissions, and keep each and every one of us warm.”
The group says that around 6 million people are expected to be in fuel poverty this winter, contributing to an already severe cost of living crisis.
For more information about Reading Friends of the Earth, visit: http://www.readingfoe.org.uk/
For more information about Reading Friends of the Earth, visit: www.readingfoe.org.uk
More information about the Warm This Winter campaign can be found via: unitedforwarmhomes.uk
