GREEN Party councillors on Wirral are urging the council to tackle growing levels of fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis by supporting a retrofit revolution.

They say all housing in the borough should be insulated to a minimum of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 'C' standard with good quality loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, double-glazing and draught exclusion.

According to the Green Party, the Government has a target to upgrade all housing to Energy performance certificate (EPC) level C or above by 2035. To achieve that target, Friends of the Earth estimate that for the Wirral 7,095 homes a year need insulation upgrades.

Green councillor for Prenton, Naomi Graham, said a focus on retrofit will cut fuel bills, create hundreds of new jobs and slash carbon emissions.

Cllr Graham added: "The cost of living crisis leaves many low income households having to choose between heating and eating.

"The Council already has a Low Carbon Retrofit Programme, but it needs to be accelerated. Funding is available provided the Council is in a position to apply for it.

"That is why we are bringing a motion before full council on October 10 to ask that Council:

  • Has an ambitious stated year on year insulation or EPC target for Wirral.
  • Develops a plan by the end of the financial year to help realise the target.
  • Actively identifies potential sources of funding to enable improvements to start this winter.

"This will help ensure there is a locally trained workforce that can both deliver a retrofit programme and boost the local economy.

"Developing a pipeline of work and economies of scale means we can all benefit from cheaper retrofitting too.

"Greens want to bring about change for the better - cutting fuel bills, creating hundreds of new jobs and slashing excess carbon emissions from poorly insulated homes."