05 Aug 2026
What's the situation with poorly insulated homes?
There are almost 10 million low-income households in the UK living in poorly insulated homes. Private-rented homes are worse than other types of housing. Cold and damp homes harm health and can be fatal. In addition, many more people will be struggling with high energy bills alongside high housing costs and the cost of food.
Read: Ward level data about poorly insulated homes in your area.
What can local authorities do about cold homes?
Councils can bid to government for money to help insulate homes, typically in low-income areas. They can also give the go-ahead to renewable energy developments and support the development of community-owned energy. And they can help people in financial trouble through the Household Support Fund.
What does the government need to do about cold homes and energy bills?
The government needs to:
- significantly increase funding for insulation for those who can’t afford it
- lower energy bills by shifting social and environmental policy costs onto general taxation.
- Introduce a 'social tariff' for energy – lower-priced energy for those on the lowest incomes
- Build more renewable energy, fast – wind and solar farms are already the cheapest ways to produce electricity
- discount energy bills for people living near energy developments, as is planned for grid developments.
Who should pay to warm homes?
Climate change is caused mostly by burning fossil fuels. The oil and gas companies have made massive profits from selling these, particularly while gas prices have been high. They should be made to pay higher taxes to help fund an insulation programme. Costs such as subsidies for nuclear and energy and the Warm Homes Discount should be paid through income tax rather than through energy bills, as that’s a much fairer approach. And developers should pay for reduced energy bills near new energy developments.
Watch out for warm homes disinformation
Some politicians claim it's renewable energy that is making energy bills high but the invasion of Ukraine and the war in Iran have shown how dependence on imported gas causes energy crises. A system based on electricity from renewable energy will be cheaper than gas. Our bills would be even higher without UK wind and solar power.
Read: More examples of disinformation and evidence to counter it.
Your voice matters
- Across England where groups carried out listening activities lower energy bills and warmer homes were among the top priority issues voted for in local communities.
- Tell politicians your community cares about climate change. Ask your councillor to show their commitment to climate justice
- Tell them they need to take action on warm homes and renewable energy. Use evidence from your listening activities if this came up as a priority in your community.
- Ask them to sign-up to your Friends of the Earth’s Charter for Climate Hope if you have one.
- Look at the post election guide for ideas on how to engage with your councillors.