There has been a twofold increase in the number of energy-saving measures installed in low-income Blackburn with Darwen homes, figures show.

Under the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation, introduced in 2013, upgrades are made to homes with a low energy efficiency rating.

It is part of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme designed to support those facing fuel poverty while also reducing carbon emissions.

Since the Government's commitment to the net zero target in June 2019, the number of energy efficiency improvements in low-income households across Great Britain has more than doubled.

However, charities have expressed concerns about the current phase of the scheme, suggesting it may fall short of delivering on a large scale.

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Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show households in Blackburn with Darwen had installed 10,702 'affordable warmth' improvements between this year and 2019.

This brings the total measures implemented since the launch of the scheme to 21,787 — double the 11,085 measures reported in 2019.

These included heating and insulation measures, such as loft and wall insulation, more efficient boilers, heat pumps, better windows and solar panels.

Cllr Damian Talbot, executive member for prevention, health and wellbeing, said: “In 2022, Cosy Homes in Lancashire successfully completed a Local Authority Delivery Government Funding scheme.

“Lancashire was awarded £22.5 million from the Government to improve the most energy inefficient homes occupied by low income households, and £4.2m of this funding went to 459 residents in Blackburn to have their properties improved with a range of measures including insulation, Solar PV and smart heating controls.

“The Lancashire scheme was one of the most successful in the country and helped more than 2,000 residents.”

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Peter Smith, director of policy at National Energy Action, said: “It’s vital to make it easier for the scheme to support more fuel poor households.

“The Government is aware which reforms will help it deliver its full potential and we hope they will be actively considered by the new Secretary of State.”

He added the scheme is currently “stalling badly and in danger of underdelivering at scale”.

The energy efficiency measures installed in the North West accounted for 18.2 per cent of all improvements as of June — the most across Great Britain.

The rates and regional figures also include improvements made under the Carbon Saving Communities scheme, which provided insulation measures to areas of low-income, but was closed in 2017.

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A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “The government’s record on energy efficiency speaks for itself, with the proportion of homes in England with an EPC rating of C or above up from 14 per cent in 2010 to 47 per cent in 2022.

“An additional 300,000 of the UK’s least energy efficient homes are in line for improvement under the new Great British Insulation Scheme and we have committed £6.6 billion towards upgrades this parliament, with a further £6 billion from 2025.”