New Economics Foundation has modelled a system of ‘free basic energy’, which could be introduced through a rising block tariff, where the price goes up as consumption increases.
.
There are ways to insulate ourselves from higher energy prices: How to bring down our energy bills – Vision Group for Sidmouth
And a lot of these ways are very practical and very immediate: Four draught energy-guzzling hotspots in your home – and how to insulate them for free or cheap | The Sun and How to insulate yourself from energy bills that are going through the roof | Household bills | The Guardian and How to insulate single-glazed windows: ‘Bubble wrap’ hack keeps rooms warm for under £5 | Express.co.uk
There are other ways to insulate ourselves, as proposed by the NEF – including ‘universal basic energy’:
Scrap the existing price cap system and replace it with a new system of ‘free basic energy’. Under this system every household would be entitled to a free amount of energy consumption, but would pay a higher marginal cost for energy use above the free amount.
Warm homes, cool planet | New Economics Foundation
Meanwhile, a group of cross-party MPs have come out in support of introducing a universal basic energy allowance for households to replace the energy price cap: Group of MPs back universal basic energy allowance – Utility Week
Especially as things are going to get really bad in April: “Frankly Terrifying”: Energy Crisis Could Drag 26 Million Brits Into Fuel Poverty | OilPrice.com
MPs are pushing for action:
SOUTH Belfast MP Claire Hanna is working with a cross-party coalition of MPs to bring forward policies to ease cost of living pressures this winter and promote sustainable energy use. Working with members of the Green New Deal All Party Group, Ms Hanna supported a bill to create an Energy Equity Commission which would set out a Universal Basic Energy Allowance, to ensure the most vulnerable can meet their immediate heating needs, alongside graduated tariffs based on use and a retro-fitting strategy to make homes more energy efficient.
South Belfast MP Hanna working to ease cost of living pressure
Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, presented the Energy Equity Commission Bill in Parliament on Tuesday (October 18). Backed by the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas, Labour’s Nadia Whittome, and Plaid Cymru group leader Liz Saville-Roberts, the private members’ bill calls for a Universal Basic Energy allowance and a fresh push on making improvements to make homes more energy efficient.
Mr Lewis said think-tank New Economics Foundation has modelled a system of ‘free basic energy’, which could be introduced through a rising block tariff, where the price goes up as consumption increases.
Norwich MP Clive Lewis tables free gas and electricity bill | Eastern Daily Press