Tim Farron and Cumbrian Liberal Democrat council leaders have written a joint letter to the Government to oppose plans to reduce those eligible for a scheme allowing energy inefficient homes to access grants.

The Government is poised to exclude social housing and rented accommodation from being eligible for the Energy Company Obligation scheme and impose prescriptive measures on how improvements must be carried out.

The letter was signed by 71 Liberal Democrat MPs, including Mr Farron, peers and council group leaders including the leader of South Lakeland District Council, Giles Archibald, and the deputy leader of Cumbria County Council, Peter Thornton.

Mr Farron said: “At a time when we’re trying to protect people from the devastating financial consequences of the pandemic and tackle the climate emergency, it’s frankly unbelievable that the Government are planning to block people from using a scheme which cuts emissions and reduces energy bills.

“With 30 per cent of the UK’s CO2 emissions coming from our homes and energy bills continuing to rocket, Liberal Democrats are calling for a ten-year programme to upgrade our homes, prioritising those in fuel poverty.”