ECO4 is not (just) about supporting people who are on certain benefits. For this 4th iteration of ECO, the government has targeted funding to low income households, and people with health conditions adversely impacted by the cold.
Low income households often live in properties that are less energy efficient, both in rentals and when the house is owned. These households are at higher risk of fuel poverty, and therefore follow on health issues related to living in a cold or damp house. It would be close to impossible for people earning less than £31,000 to save for proper insulation, let alone more green energy sources like solar panels and heat pumps. Low income earners are most in need of lower bills.
People living with mobility issues, heart or respiratory conditions and those with autoimmune diseases are most likely to be seriously impacted by living in a cold home. These health issues are exacerbated by cold temperatures, which can have very real immediate and long term effects on people’s overall health and wellbeing. Living in warm that is actually warm can be life changing.
By providing a higher standard of housing and reducing bills, ECO4 helps to reduce inequality in the UK. At the same time, the ECO4 measures reduce Co2 emissions, and help us all to have a cleaner, brighter future.
