Stop bills going through the roof

Lib Dems say a home energy plan they are proposing will mean cheaper bills in Rochdale.

The party wants to massively increase the energy efficiency of all homes which they claim will lead to big savings.

The proposals include requiring energy companies to use some of the £9 billion profit they have made from emissions trading to insulate the homes of the poorest residents.

They will also set up a National Green Loans scheme which will pay for a complete overhaul of the energy efficiency of people's homes. Repayments will be added to energy bills with the loan paid off from the savings in energy use. Loan repayments will not be allowed to be more than the savings.

Lib Dem Councillor, Elwyn Watkins, said: "The energy efficiency standards of 99 out of every 100 homes fall well below what they should be. Nearly every one of us is spending money on bills to heat the great outdoors as so much energy escapes from our homes.

"We want to bring home energy efficiency up to the highest level possible. In the past year, fuel bills have gone through the roof. But too often, our heat is escaping through the roof as well. Our plans will put an end to that.

"By cutting energy waste, we are also cutting the damage we do to the environment. It's a win-win situation: lower fuel bills and fewer emissions."