Portsmouth residents urged to 'green' their homes with local service

The government has come under fire for pulling the plug on its green homes grants - that were announced last year to much fanfare - a whole year early.

As part of the scheme households could apply for up to £10,000 for insulation to reduce energy use or to install low-carbon heating. But just 10 per cent of a predicted 600,000 homes benefitted from the cash.

Nick Sebley, from the Portsmouth Climate Action Board, which had been encouraging residents to apply for the scheme, said: 'Emissions from housing are only 9 per cent lower than in 1990, and it is the repeated failure of government schemes like this that is the main reason.'

However, the £300m previously allocated for the green homes grant is set to be transferred to local authorities, to help them improve energy efficiency in lower income households.

In Portsmouth this is likely to be made available through the council's existing Switched On team.

Mr Sebley added: 'This is an opportunity to get a warmer house, lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint: all for free. Best to apply now though - via Switched On Portsmouth - as the measures are on a first come first served basis.'

Portsmouth City Council's environment boss, Councillor Dave Ashmore, added: 'It is a shame the grant is not continuing but if it's going to go to local authorities to run themselves - as long as there is no loss of money along the way - then it will be a good thing. In Portsmouth we have got an excellent, award-winning team that is already working to make homes more energy efficient.

'We can make good use of this money to help as many people as possible not only make their homes more environmentally friendly but also save them money on bills.'

It is thought around 19 million homes in the UK need to be insulated or the emissions from gas boilers will prevent the country achieving its climate change targets.

The government claimed many households had been reluctant to apply for the grants because they feared catching Covid from contractors coming into their homes.

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