During a hearing of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS) Committee, witnesses urged the government to make household energy efficiency a national infrastructure project. In an evidence session held on Tuesday 12 March, the BEIS Committee heard E3G Associate Director Ed Matthew call for energy efficiency to be made a national infrastructure priority, with long-term targets to provide confidence to investors and encourage industry innovation. E.ON UK Chief Executive Officer Michael Lewis said that energy efficiency is the “single best investment the government can make” but the key is making it attractive for consumers. Policy recommendations to boost household demand included low or zero VAT on energy efficiency products and services, home improvement ISAs and support for energy efficiency mortgages.
