Nick Clegg announces £540 Million for the most vulnerable households

“Make no mistake: the economic situation creates challenges, but it has not weakened our resolve. It has only strengthened our ambition.” Nick Clegg, April 11 2012

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced that the energy companies are going to commit £540 million to the most vulnerable households, which is welcome news, for all the elderly and people with disabilities.

Mr Clegg also spoke about ways of tackling apathy and the ‘hassle factor’ of home improvement, quoting a trial where B&Q will clear your loft, install insulation and then take the things that you don’t want to charity for you. If the Green Deal is going to succeed in all of its mandates it will be these smaller issues that can help with the overall rate of take up.

The other quick fix that Mr Clegg highlighted was the idea of switching tariff, which can save a household over £100. MR Clegg said;

“Right now, seven out of 10 customers are on the wrong tariff for their needs – so paying too much. Yet people rarely switch, despite the fact some families could save over £100 a year. And there are currently over 120 different tariffs, making it very difficult to know where to start.

So, as of this autumn, your supplier will have to contact you, every year, with the best tariff for you. And, if you call them, they’ll have to offer you the best deal too. We’re also working with energy companies to put special barcodes on energy bills. You’ll be able to scan them with your smartphone to get quotes and switch tariff or supplier in a matter of minutes. Plus we’re working with consumer groups to make it easier for people to club together and switch supplier, helping consumers use their collective purchasing power to bring down bills.”

Mr Clegg went on to explain the benefits that businesses were seeing in the Green Economy and how there are opportunities for the UK to lead the world in these new technologies and their applications.

What do you think the Government could do to stimulate the Green economy? Have you seen new Green jobs being created? Leave a comment below

 

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