Local MP Robert Largan has expressed his disappointment with Labour-controlled High Peak Borough Council’s failure to submit a bid for funding from the Government’s £6.6 billion programme to improve households’ energy efficiency. 

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund has committed more than £1 billion to upgrade social housing. Sixty-nine local-authority-led projects have been offered £179 million of funding in the latest tranche of funding. 

This money will enable councils to provide upgrades, such as external wall insulation, to socially rented homes in their area with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or below. This could help to cut energy bills for vulnerable households, as well as delivering warmer, more comfortable homes and reduce carbon emissions. 

The Government has said that there will be a second wave of funding in the next financial year. 

This follows the news last year that High Peak Borough Council missed the £6.6 billion Levelling Up Fund deadline to secure up to £20 million for the High Peak. 

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“I am very disappointed that High Peak Borough Council missed the deadline to submit a bid in time for the £1 billion Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. 

“Households across the High Peak are facing rising energy bills, and this was a chance for the Council to help cut fuel bills by upgrading and insulating homes for the most vulnerable households. 

“Fortunately, the Government have now indicated that there will be a second round to the Fund in the next financial year. I hope the Council gets their act together and submits a bid, High Peak households can’t afford more dither and delay from the Council.”