Hannah Blythyn MS has welcomed the Welsh Government’s plans to reduce the carbon footprint of existing social housing across Wales, creating new training and job opportunities, whilst making improvements to reduce energy waste and unnecessary bills.

Up to 1000 social houses owned by local Councils and registered social landlords across Wales, will benefit from a £9.5 million fund to improve energy efficiency. The fund forms part of the Welsh Labour Government’s plans to tackle the climate emergency we face, whilst reducing fuel property and improving homes.

The programme will also support the sector to explore new, innovative ways to retrofit existing social housing with energy efficiency measures, again demonstrating a commitment to research and development which directly benefits the people of Wales. It also forms part of a wider £45 million investment in carbon neutral housing across Wales.

Welcoming the announcement, Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“Making homes more energy efficient is a key part of tackling our carbon footprint and helping Wales to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The added benefit of this programme is that it will not only make homes warmer and reduce energy bills, but also create training and job opportunities.

I will do my best to ensure that Delyn benefits from this investment through conversations with colleagues in Welsh Government and the Senedd.”

Announcing the plans, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said:

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of a warm, secure and affordable home like never before. It has also shown the positive effects of reducing greenhouse gasses.

“Housing is responsible for 27% of all energy consumed in Wales and 15% of all demand side greenhouse gas emissions. While we have plans in place to ensure new homes are heated and powered only from clean energy sources, ensuring our existing housing stock is as energy efficient as possible is vital to if we are to meet our ambitious target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

This scheme is essential to tackling climate change, and driving down household energy costs now and in the future. Helping people, including those on lower incomes, to reduce their fuel bills while keeping their homes warm.

The MS for Delyn has encouraged Flintshire County Council and registered social landlords to work together to maximise the level of investment in Flintshire, and is committed to partnership working to continue improving the quality of housing and tackling the climate emergency, recognising that every action makes a difference.