Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, calls for urgent action to tackle global warming and welcomes the government’s low-carbon plan which will save Streatham residents hundreds of pounds a year.

The government has pledged that by 2020 40% of our electricity will come from low carbon sources. The government’s low-carbon plan outlines how Britain will lead the way in making the transition to a low-carbon future and how local people will reap the benefits in lower energy costs, new jobs and green technology.

Commenting on how the government’s plans will help local residents, Mr Umunna said:

“Tackling climate change is both the right thing to do and is in financial interests of local residents.

“Expanding wind power, home insulation and introducing ’smart’ electricity meters will complement the grassroots efforts already being made by local groups like Transition Town Brixton, Sustainable Streatham and the Hyde Farm Climate Action Network to reduce our carbon footprint, whilst saving local people money.”

Smart electricity meters will be installed in every home, allowing consumers and energy suppliers to accurately monitor how much electricity is being used. This means that energy companies won’t need to manually check meters and it will bring an end to estimated bills, both which will cut costs and home energy bills. Smart meters also reduce energy consumption, as consumers can be more conscious of how much they are using.

Streatham residents can look forward to their bills being reduced by up to 10% a year as a result of smart meters, which could save more than £100 per household per year.

The government has also made grants available for insulation to cut homes’ energy use and spending. A quarter of homes are set to receive full eco-makeovers by 2020. Streatham households will benefit by reducing their energy waste and cutting heating bills. The average annual saving made by installing cavity wall insulation is £115.

Mr Umunna says savings from smart meters and insulation will help local residents worst hit by last year’s gas and electricity price hikes by suppliers and reduce fuel poverty:

“These proposals are not just good for the environment but will be of significant benefit to energy customers in Streatham, particularly after the massive and unacceptable price hikes made by the energy companies last year.”

Last month, Mr Umunna visited the Hyde Farm Climate Action Network, a grassroots organisation which puts into practice reducing the community’s carbon footprint. He is also a supporter of Sustainable Streatham, a local group launched recently to encourage sustainable projects and to campaign on green issues, and Transition Town Brixton, a community-led initiative that seeks to raise awareness locally of Climate Change.