North Wales MS and Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, Mark Isherwood, yesterday called on the Welsh Government to commit the full consequential funding arising from the UK Government's Warm Homes plan to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency in Wales.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning in Wednesday's meeting of the Welsh Parliament over how the Welsh Government is delivering its energy policy, Mr Isherwood referred to the fact that North Wales remains the most expensive region in Britain for energy and said the full consequential funding Wales receives, potentially equating to over £250 million, would help reduce bills, improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty head on.
He said:
"Last month, your colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government attended the Interministerial Group for Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change, which focused on the UK Government's Warm Homes plan.
"In her Written Statement, she referred to the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring people across Wales benefit from the transition to healthy, low-carbon homes, and the need to deliver lasting community benefits, including securing Wales's fair share of the £15.2 billion investment.
"Although Ofgem have today announced an energy price cap reduction from 1st April, National Energy Action Cymru note that people in Wales continue to pay more for energy, with North Wales remaining the most expensive region in Britain, and south Wales the third most expensive.
"So, given your responsibility for domestic energy and energy efficiency in Wales, how do you therefore respond to their call for the full consequential funding Wales receives arising from the Warm Homes Plan - potentially equating to over £250 million - to be committed to cutting bills, tackling fuel poverty, and making the homes of the most vulnerable in Wales much warmer and healthier places to live?
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood added:
"It is disappointing that in her response, the Cabinet Secretary notably failed to commit to investing the full consequential funding in the priority areas I highlighted."
