'SAVING CARBON WILL SAVE MONEY AND JOBS' - BURT

4.51.20pm GMT Tue 24th Feb 2009

Plans by the Liberal Democrats to massively increase the energy efficiency of all homes will lead to big savings in energy bills and create jobs, according to Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt.

The Liberal Democrats want energy companies to use some of the £9 billion profit they have made from emissions trading to insulate the homes of the poorest residents, as well as setting up a National Green Loans scheme which will pay for a complete overhaul of the energy efficiency of people's homes.

Commenting on the proposals, Lorely said:

"In the past year, fuel bills have gone through the roof. But too often, our heat is escaping the same way! Our plans will put an end to that.

"They will also provide a boost for jobs in the building industry, which has been particularly hard hit by the recession, getting more people back into work, and securing existing jobs."

"The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act, passed in 2004, gave the government the ability to require greater energy efficiency standards of buildings as a matter of course, yet Britain's carbon emissions have remained static, as the government has sat on its hands.

"Meanwhile, countless families are spending huge amounts on wasted energy leaving them out of pocket and in fuel poverty, and many more out of work."