What do you think?

Ultimately, it is not a choice between the banks or a low carbon future since we cannot hope to meet our renewables goals without a properly functioning economy.

However, much is being done to help consumers particularly the most vulnerable – in September the Prime Minister announced, a £1 billion package of measures to help families reduce their household’s fuel bills by up to £300 per year. See my other replies on other £m grants and incentives.

(Report comment)

Vote: 22   5   Alison, Policy Advisor at the Department of Energy and Climate Change / 25.03.09 / 5:55 pm

“we cannot hope to meet our renewables goals without a properly functioning economy”

On the other hand, we cannot hope to have a properly functioning economy if we don’t face up to shortfalls in oil and gas supply from the North Sea, and the effects of climate change. I agree that the banks could not be allowed to go bust if we want to keep using the existing economic system, but without putting money into weaning ourselves of fossil fuels then it really won’t matter if banks go bust or not…

(Report comment)

Vote: 16   7   Mike Pepler / 26.05.09 / 3:58 pm

I also think that the choice is a false one.

Those banks, not all, that got themselves into difficulties, should have been allowed to go out of business!

Other banks, building societies and other institutions should have been then able to buy the good assets and carry on the business of banking.

Now we are stuck with some 17,000 debts per person, which would have been difficult to repay even in the growth era, but now in the contraction era it will be entirely impossible. So instead of several banks and admittedly some chaotic time in finance circles, UK as a whole will face bankruptcy.
Well done Gordon, well done Labour!

The only sensible choice would have been to follow the Green New Deal or something like it, whilst we still have some money,

(Report comment)

Vote: 7   2   Paul TransitionNC.org / 20.07.09 / 2:00 pm

This government has a history of big talking and poor delivery on just about every subject and energy is just one.
Why can’t our politicians accept the fact that the solution to this problem is a long term one which will not be solved by hot air.
Instead of printing money to give to (privately owned) banks, we could use it very wisely for the benefit of all … by providing interest free 10 year loans for the installation of domestic solar power (i.e. combined solar photovoltaic and water) systems for all suitable domestic premises.
Because this would generate income for the property owner to offset the cost of the loan, and would reimburse the governement in full over 15 years, (costing the government only the interest) it would be a very cost effective solution.
The greatest benefits would be that it would also provide a stimulus to industry in manufacturing and installation of the solar equipment, thereby providing jobs, boosting the economy, increasing our expertise in an emerging technology, reducing C02, helping with our renewables obligations …. etc.
Yet the current ‘initiatives’ just talk and give money to people who have proven a propensity to squander it.

(Report comment)

Vote: 6   1   David Powell / 31.07.09 / 9:33 am

I think the Government have not considered fully all the options
why when the average Englishman lives in his castle for an average of 7 years would he spend the sort of funds required to generate energy for himself and the grid, when he will not even be able to recover the costs when moving.

I feel that the cert funding needs to evolve into a rolling fund
we also might start a rent a roof scheme?
we could put renewable energy items as a loan on the house instead of the person
we could ensure that the EPC is made more use and less blunt broad brush
we might have an energy pack as opposed to the current HIP
which has the detail of the loan on the house
what the amount earned from the sale of energy and the number of ROCs
A detailed account of the renewables and their expected life
the EPC but not just as it stands it needs to have more % calculations within it and get a little more specific
we need to make more funds available for solid wall I think Cavity and loft have run their course the number of homes who have a second load of house belongings in their loft would amaze you!!

(Report comment)

Vote: 7   1   Alex Field / 03.09.09 / 3:10 pm