THOUSANDS of homes in Barnsley could miss out on crucial financial support to help cut their energy bills.
Despite promising that funding to support warmer homes would not be cut, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering a U-turn and slash funding, a move that would hit the worst-off households hardest as they struggle, according to campaign groups.
In Barnsley alone, households have been helped by £24m in funding since 2022.
However, cutting back on the government’s energy company obligation scheme would hit the worst-off households hardest as they struggle with persistently high energy bills.
A total of 16,539 ECO measures have been installed in the area, which make up 0.5 per cent of all measures installed in the country.
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “We obviously understand the urgent need to cut energy bills but the Chancellor is in danger of making a grave error.
“Cutting funding for energy efficiency measures would undermine efforts to reduce energy demand, improve cold, damp homes and ease long-term pressure on the NHS.”
Energy bills hit record levels during 2022/23 as international gas prices spiked as result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other global factors.
While bills have fallen since, they remain over 80 per cent higher than four years ago, driven by the volatile price of gas.
One in seven households in Barnsley - more than 17,000 - are estimated to be in fuel poverty.
Stew Horne, from the Energy Saving Trust, added: “The ECO provides vital support to make low income and fuel poor homes warmer and we urge the Chancellor to protect this crucial funding.
“Cutting this would be a significant setback for thousands of households already struggling with high energy bills.
“The UK government’s forthcoming Warm Homes Plan must address the root causes of high bills namely our ongoing dependency on imported gas.
“Improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes and upgrading their heating systems is the most effective way to permanently bring people’s bills down.”
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis said more work needs to be done to improve local homes’ energy efficiency.
“The government recognises this challenge which is why a Warm Homes Plan will soon be launched to improve the energy efficiency of millions homes over the coming years - including thousands locally.
“As part of the drive to increase the energy efficiency of properties, we must ensure that local landlords and homeowners are accessing the grants and funding available for vital improvements like insulation and low-carbon heating.
“This is something that I know Barnsley Council are working incredibly hard to do.
“It isn’t just about the comfort of a property - it’s about tackling fuel poverty, cutting bills and doing our bit for the environment.”
