Although the Government has pledged £3.4bn for household efficiency and upgrades in its first Budget, it falls short of the £13.2bn promised.

Describing it as a “downpayment” only, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition has questioned the real commitment to improving energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock and removing fuel poverty.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented: “The only way to bring down bills permanently is through investment in insulation, home improvements, renewables and infrastructure which will free us from volatile gas prices forever. But after the Chancellor’s speech, uncertainty remains whether Ministers will be able to confirm the £13.2bn promised to help people improve their homes.”

In support, Warm This Winter spokesperson Caroline Simpson said: “We desperately need to see a full £13.2bn turbo charge to the Warm Homes Plan and a ten-year strategy to keep people warm every winter through better housing and energy efficiency.”

Independent Age, Energy Action Scotland, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and National Energy Action also questioned the real effects of the funding.

Ambitions for another flagship policy, the setting up of a National Wealth Fund with a major focus of which would be to fund decarbonisation of heavy industry, has also been scaled back, with the rebranded UK Infrastructure Bank placing £5.8bn of new money into the fund against a manifesto pledge of £7.3bn.

Daisy Jameson, policy fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said the Budget “still falls short of being a ‘Green Budget’”.

“We continue to see UK governments failing to commit the money we need for adaptation to the impacts of climate change that risks livelihoods and lives. The Government must strengthen and adequately fund their National Adaptation Plan.”

The Government says that more detailed spending plans will be provided next year.

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