29 Jan 2026
Find out how many people are in poorly insulated homes in your area using our data tool.
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.
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?
The government needs to:
- significantly increase funding for insulation for those who can’t afford it
- lower energy bills with nuclear and renewable energy subsidies and the Warm Homes Discount.
- 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 it was the invasion of Ukraine and rising gas prices that caused the energy crisis. A system based on electricity from renewable energy will be cheaper than gas.
Your voice matters
During elections politicians make more of an effort to listen. Tell them you care about climate change. Tell them you want action on energy bills, including more renewable energy. Ask them to sign-up to Friends of the Earth’s Charter for Climate Hope.