Title

CLIMATE CHANGE

Council leaders call for local approach to energy efficiency

Council leaders have called for a new approach to energy efficiency after the latest figures revealed a big drop in the number of homes being insulated.

Council leaders have called for a new approach to energy efficiency after the latest figures revealed a big drop in the number of homes being insulated.

The Government's energy efficiency scheme supported just 60,000 homes last year - down from almost 500,000 in 2013.

Environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Linda Taylor, said: ‘National climate action is essential, but the complexity of supporting retrofitting in our 51 cities, 935 towns and 6,000 villages cannot be managed from a Whitehall desk and the national schemes are struggling.

‘It is now time to shift to a locally-led approach, which would mean councils can target the homes that need the support most while working with local businesses to build skills and growth.'

CLIMATE CHANGE

Why place matters: building a nuclear robotics future in Cumbria

By Kirsty Hewitson | 01 September 2026

Place-based investment can turn overlooked regions into national centres of innovation and growth, says Kirsty Hewitson.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Quango conundrum

By Ann McGauran | 27 August 2026

Rewiring the State promises a serious look at whether arm’s-length bodies’ powers and funding should be handed to local leaders or returned to ministerial d...

CLIMATE CHANGE

Turbocharging inclusive growth's latest mission

By Ben Lucas | 25 August 2026

Ben Lucas looks at how the Government’s devolution drive will affect efforts to achieve good growth.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Untangling the wires to progress

By Martin Ford | 12 August 2026

The Government has finally unveiled it proposals to ‘rewire the state’ and devolve powers to regional and local levels. Martin Ford delves into the document.

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead