Energy efficiency taskforce scrapped as members express disappointment

Following the decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to move the gas boiler ban back to 2035, the government also announced over the weekend that it was scrapping the energy efficiency taskforce.

The body was intended to “advise and work with ministers on delivery of the government’s ambition to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030, across domestic and commercial buildings and industrial processes.”

The BBC, who broke the story, reported that the taskforce “appears to be a casualty of Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap energy efficiency regulations for landlords in an overhaul of green policies.” Members of the body were informed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) by letter.

Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) also found that scrapping energy efficiency regulations for the private sector could cost British households £8 billion in higher bills over the next decade.

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Policy changes announced by PM could cost British households almost £8bn in higher bills over next decade

& bmore if gas prices spike again, due to cancelling new #energy efficiency regulations for private rental sector.https://t.co/V5GSdZdAuR

— ECIU (@ECIU_UK) September 24, 2023

Director of the Carbon Co-op, Jonathan Atkinson, told the BBC that the government had U-turned on its long term strategy, saying “we’re not seeing any long term plans, and certainly what happened on Wednesday suggests a rowing back.”

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce has been cancelled. What’s changed since the govt established it 6 months ago? Is it mission accomplished? We spent £40bn subsidising energy bills last year, but are we better prepared for future price spikes? We argue for investment and a plan. pic.twitter.com/Pg8M0Uj3gQ

— Carbon Coop (@CarbonCoop) September 24, 2023

Labour’s shadow climate and net zero secretary Ed Miliband said the decision was “shortsighted” and “shameful”. Laura Sandys, who chairs the government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce, and was also on the energy efficiency taskforce, said she was disappointed by the decision to scrap the taskforce.

Disappointed efficiency taskforce is disbanded & confused of govs intentions on cost of living. If people are at heart of gov agenda energy efficiency must be v first priority to reduce citizens costs, improve energy security with less energy required & cutting carbon emissions. https://t.co/VesliLfddl

— Laura Sandys CBE (@Laura_Sandys) September 23, 2023

Adam Scorer, chief executive officer of National Energy Action, another member of the taskforce, reiterated 

Double disappointment. 1. Junk plan to bring worst private rented homes to decent energy standards; vital fuel poverty priority. 2. Disband taskforce; place where PM’s desired transparent & honest discussion taking place. Big hole where plan should be.https://t.co/41EypK2TpR

— Adam Scorer (@adam_scorer) September 23, 2023

Scorer also called last week’s news “Hand grenades thrown into the #netzero #fuelpoverty mission last week”.

Another member of the taskforce, Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive officer of the UK Green Building Council, said the industry had reacted with “anger and frustration at this latest policy U-turn”.

A spokesperson for DESNZ told the BBC: “We would like to thank the Energy Efficiency Taskforce for its work in supporting our ambition to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030. We have invested £6.6bn in energy efficiency upgrades this Parliament and will continue to support families in making their homes more efficient, helping them to cut bills while also achieving net zero in a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic way.”