Monday 24 January 2011

Energy Saving Trust funding cut in half

The Energy Saving Trust has had its funding cut by half by the government.

The move comes after both Energy Secretary Chris Huhne and his minister Charles Hendry have repeatedly stated that energy-saving measures were the best way forward to secure energy efficiency and security in the UK.

The EST offers advice and grants to the public to help them cut their energy use and in turn reduce their bills and is funded by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

But at the weekend trust confirmed that DECC's funding will be halved for this year and next. The EST added that one-third of its 300-strong workforce is likely to lose their jobs, mainly in London. In 2009/2010, the trust received £62m from DECC.

The EST said in a statement: "While we are disappointed with the settlement, it does not come as a surprise. With the Green Deal on the horizon, the private sector will have a huge role to play."

A DECC spokesman said: "Energy efficiency is a top priority for this department. The coalition's Green Deal is the most ambitious energy efficiency programme ever envisaged, and a bill is already before parliament to put it in place. The EST has a role to play as we move towards this, and is being funded accordingly next year."

Speaking last September, Mr Huhne said: "Homes in the UK account for more than a quarter of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, so saving energy makes sense for the planet as well as the householders."