CAMPAIGNERS met with MP Robin Walker in the Guildhall as part of the nationwide Warm This Winter mass lobby in one of more than 80 events taking place across the UK this spring.
A group of Worcester constituents, led by Worcester Greenpeace, held a ‘very positive meeting’ with Mr Walker to discuss the National Warm This Winter campaign. They shared messages collected from other local people about how they are experiencing the cost of living crisis and they want solutions such as home insulation.
Also discussed were new housing developments having energy efficiency standards well below those needed and Worcester schools having to choose between reducing the free school meal size or turning down heating knowing that many of these children’s homes will not be heated and the school meal is their only cooked meal.
John Allen, volunteer for Worcester Greenpeace said ‘We’re really pleased that at the meeting, Robin Walker MP pledged to call for the expansion of Government-funded home insulation schemes, heat pump installation, more investment in renewable energy, and further support for vulnerable households with their energy bills.
“We look forward to hearing from him soon about how they’re pushing for the Energy Bill to work for the constituents of Worcester and make our homes warmer and bills cheaper.”
“He did not agree with ‘no more fossil fuels’ but agreed that more should be done to remove obstacles for on shore wind development.
The recent Spring Statement failed to commit any new money to keep homes warm according to campaigners and the Government’s promised ‘Green Day’ turned into yet another failure on climate action say Greenpeace.
Greenpeace Worcester volunteers are calling for £5.3billion in new cash for home insulation, £14billion of emergency support for households struggling with bills, and £3.3billion to roll out cheap, clean heating in our homes to get the UK off gas once and for all – there is no clear indication where the money would come from.
“We also need to triple renewable energy by 2030, and stop new oil and gas extraction. The Energy Bill is the next opportunity to legislate for these measures and build a secure energy future, with cheaper bills and warmer, greener homes,” said Mr Allen
