Lynne Featherstone MP for Hornsey and Wood Green joined Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud outside Parliament to build a compelling case for a nationwide green refurbishment programme.

The Grand Designs Great British Refurb Campaign, led by Kevin McCloud, has gained the support of thousands of homeowners across the country who are asking for Government support to make their homes more energy efficient.

Tackling our poorly insulated, inefficient housing stock, has the potential to reduce homeowners energy bills, create thousands of ‘green collar’ jobs, and help the UK meet its climate change targets.

Lynne Featherstone MP joined the campaign by helping Kevin McCloud insulate his ‘home’ outside the Houses of Parliament.

Lynne Featherstone MP said: “Tackling the energy efficiency of the UK’s 26 million existing homes must be a priority for the Government. Homeowners can do their bit to reduce their energy consumption, but they need more support and greater financial incentives to green their homes, and unlock the potential energy and cost savings within their four walls.”

It is estimated that by retrofitting our existing housing stock, nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved – the equivalent to the average CO2 output of over 1.5 million homes per year. The market for green refurbishment and improvement could be worth between £3.5 billion and £6.5 billion per year and thousands of new jobs could be created. Britons could save on average £300 a year on household bills by being more energy efficient and improving heating and insulation in the home

The Great British Refurb Campaign is supported by the Energy Saving Trust, Grand Designs magazine, UK Green Building Council and WWF-UK. Thousands of homeowners have already added their name to a petition calling upon the Prime Minister to make it easier, more affordable, and more attractive to go green at home. This petition will be delivered to No 10 Downing Street later this week and is well timed to coincide with the Government’s latest announcement on reducing the UK’s energy demands.

Kevin McCloud says: “We urgently need a plan of action to deliver on our climate change targets. A nationwide programme of green refurbishment is an ideal solution, creating a major reduction in carbon emissions and providing a boost to the economy through the creation of green collar jobs in our communities. But in order to achieve this, the Government must first remove the cost barrier and make it a tangible solution for the nation’s homeowners.”

The Great British Refurb Campaign is calling upon the Government to:

1. Offer households new ways to pay for green refurbishment, which would significantly reduce upfront costs and instead spread them over a longer period of time.

2. Provide better financial incentives for householders to refurbish their homes to make them greener and more energy efficient, through substantial government grants, subsidies or tax rebates.

3. Ensure installers are qualified and approved to undertake the work.

To find out more about the Great British Refurb Campaign visit www.greatbritishrefurb.co.uk.

Haringey Liberal Democrats have made a pledge for the borough to have its own eco-house following the example set by Liberal Democrat led Camden Council and the success of eco-warrior Councillor Alexis Rowell.

The Camden eco-house is a five bedroom council property refurbished to the highest energy saving specification, including wall insulation on exposed walls, double-glazed sash windows and solar heated water and electricity.

The Camden refurbishment was wholly funded by grants and sponsorship.It is envisaged that Haringey’s eco-house would follow the same model and act as a demonstration home on the possibility of the high standard energy saving in older properties.

The measures have achieved an 80% reduction of carbon emissions and energy bills and have raised the official energy saving rating of the property from G to B, a significant accomplishment for a Victorian property. The photovoltaic solar panels are expected to produce twice as much electricity as the house will need giving the owner the opportunity make money from selling the excess electricity.

The Camden eco-house received over 1,800 visitors after its first three months of being open at weekends.

Councillor Ed Butcher, Haringey Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, said:

“The biggest saving in CO2 emissions in Haringey will come from reducing our energy consumption through insulation.

“This project would be about showing people what is possible in their homes.I have met many lots residents who are very keen to green their house but don’t think it is possible in a Victorian property.

“We are 100% committed to a greener future and as a Liberal Democrat council we would lead the way.”

Local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone added:

“What the Liberal Democrats have accomplished in Camden is pretty impressive. It is about practical solutions that people can implement.

“When it comes to climate change a council has to do more than just council meetings and print glossy brochures.We need to help people make greener choices.”

Commenting on Haringey Council’s announcement this week of a target to reduce the borough’s carbon dioxide emissions by 11% by 2011, Cllr Ed Butcher, Haringey Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson said:

“It is extremely worrying that Haringey Labour are nowhere near to committing to the sort of reduction that is actually required to avert catapstrophic climate change. This figure has an air of rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic about it.

“The fact they have announced this seemingly random number by press release rather than in consultation with local stakeholders says it all really. After all, it is the help of these people that is needed to deliver this huge change.

“The Labour Leader of the Council signed the Nottingham declaration in November 2006 promising this target. Almost two years later it is depressing this is the best they can do. It is going to take more than a few green fairs and special environmental editions of the Haringey People to achieve it.”