Nesta, the innovation charity, has today said that if the Chancellor is looking to save money for HM Treasury, helping people to adopt five free energy-saving measures could save billions. This follows Lord Deben, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee, writing to the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to outline the Committee’s advice on reducing energy demand in buildings in response to the energy price crisis. The letter cites Nesta’s research on energy saving measures.

Madeleine Gabriel, Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said:

“Helping people to lower their gas usage can save both households and the Government money. In its letter to the Chancellor today, the Climate Change Committee has rightly highlighted the need for enhanced advice to help consumers save money, especially through free and low-cost measures.

“Combining these measures can create big savings. If the Chancellor is looking to save money for the Treasury, then just five free energy-saving measures, if adopted by all eligible households, could together reduce household gas use by 10%, saving £3 billion for households over a year and £1.5 billion for the Government by reducing its current subsidy for people’s bills.”

Ends

Notes to editors

1. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Kieran Lowe, Media Manager, on 020 7438 2576 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk