Commenting on planned changes to the Energy Companies Oblilgation (ECO) Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

"It is extraordinarily irresponsible, as well as counterproductive, for the Government to claim it is reducing energy bills by slashing the very scheme that is designed to bring them down. Watering down our energy efficiency commitments at precisely the time they are most needed will mean more cold homes, more winter deaths, and job losses in the construction industry. Only a massive programme of home insulation and other energy efficiency measures will bring energy bills down for good. The Chancellor should use carbon tax revenue fund such an investment which could bring nine out of ten homes out of fuel poverty, quadruple carbon savings, and create up to 200,000 jobs."