Friday 5 May 2017

Fifth of Londoners on high prepayment tariffs

One in five Londoners have a prepayment meter for gas or electricity, making them unable to access the most affordable tariffs.

That's according to a new report from the London Assembly Environment Committee, which says the Mayor of London should work with boroughs and landlords to help save energy and money.

It suggests the government should support people to move off these expensive pre-payment deals if there is money to be saved.

It also found after having a smart meter installed, eight in 10 people have taken steps to reduce their energy usage and said the government should support the rollout.

The Committee said London's homes are to blame for more than a third of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions - they released 13.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2014.

The report adds the private rented sector is sizable and difficult to retrofit, as landlords often believe improving energy efficiency standards is harder than it actually is.

It suggests offering clear advice to the owners of these buildings and holding a consultation on clearer regulations for the private rented sector.

Environment Committee Chair, Leonie Cooper AM, said: "London has found energy improvements particularly challenging. It has always got less than its fair share of available funding under the national schemes and so less work has been carried out.

"Other areas such as Scotland that were once in the same position have secured more than their share, by working actively with social landlords, overcoming barriers for installers and by providing additional capital funding."