The government has shut down the Energy Efficiency Taskforce after just six months, according to reports.
The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was first announced by the Chancellor in last year’s Autumn Statement and was established to support a reduction of energy demand through accelerated delivery of energy efficiency measures across the economy.
The BBC reported that a letter was sent to the members of the taskforce, explaining that it would be “streamlined” into other work.
Ed Miliband called the move a “shortsighted decision” that will “cost families money”.
Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), said on X (formerly Twitter):
Curious whether this (if confirmed) also means abandonment of the Chancellor’s goal to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% by 2030. The taskforce was a collection of serious figures from across commercial and finance sectors to advise on that goal.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, posted:
For decades it has been clear that the simplest no regrets step for cutting emissions is energy efficiency. It is also the policy that can most quickly help hard pressed people on low incomes. I find, therefore, this to be a very surprising decision.
