Insulation 'critical' as Dorset's cost of living worsens
A Weymouth Insulate Britain campaigner says people are starting to understand her fight
Three in five Dorset homes have energy efficiency ratings of Band D or lower, figures reveal, amid an energy crisis which is likely to see millions of people struggle to heat their homes.
The Government is being urged to make energy efficiency a national priority, after energy regulator Ofgem announced the cap on energy prices will increase by nearly ÂŁ700 from April.
Among them is an Insulate Britain protestor from Weymouth who has been commenting on the news following her release from prison last month.
Emma Smart said:
"This news might be the kind of awareness that people need that insulation and what we've been saying for months now is actually the way forwards.
"One of the major criticisms of our actions was to 'let ordinary people get on with their lives'. The irony of that is that's exactly what our aim is. We recognise ordinary people's lives are being disrupted in Dorset right now because they can't afford to both heat their homes and eat, and pay food bills.
"I'm hoping people are finally starting to realise what we were fighting so hard for."
Energy Performance Certificates show how effective a home is at keeping heat in – with ratings from A (the most efficient) to G – the least, meaning residents have to spend more on energy bills to keep their homes warm.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 60% of dwellings in Dorset had an EPC rating of Band D or below in 2020-21.
This was higher than the average across England, of 58%.
Ofgem announced the energy price cap will rise to a record ÂŁ1,971 for a typical household as gas prices soar to unprecedented highs.
This 54% increase will affect around 22 million households across Great Britain from the beginning of April, adding ÂŁ693 to typical annual bills.
In response, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a ÂŁ200 rebate on energy bills, which will have to be paid back, and a ÂŁ150 reduction in council tax for millions in England.
But the Energy Saving Trust said the price cap rise – alongside higher living costs caused by further inflation – is "extremely worrying".
Mike Thornton, chief executive of the organisation, added: "As well as the need for immediate action and short-term support, the current crisis emphasises the importance of improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock in the long-term.
"Energy efficiency and more renewables are the best ways to protect everybody against volatile gas prices and rising bills in the long-term."
The figures also show the median annual energy cost in Dorset was an estimated £794 in 2020-21 – well above the England average of £731.
Analysis by the Regulatory Assistance Project shows that without energy efficiency measures already installed in UK homes – among the oldest and least energy efficient in Europe – bills could rise to as much as £3,000 a year on average.
Jan Rosenow, director of RAP, said insulation is critical for meeting the country's net zero climate goals, saving money on energy bills, and insulating households from future price rises.
He added: “What is missing is a well-funded energy efficiency policy for all households that enables people to invest in making their homes more energy efficient."
Separate figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show an estimated 16,280 households in Dorset experienced fuel poverty in 2019 – the latest statistics available.
A household is considered to be fuel poor if they live in a property with low energy efficiency and would be pushed below the poverty line by housing costs and the energy bills needed to have a warm, well-lit home.
Mr Sunak said the Government's support will help around 28 million households with their rising energy costs over the next year.
He added: "We stood behind British people and businesses throughout the pandemic and it’s right we continue to do that as our economy recovers in the months ahead."