Mass public backing for subsidies to cut energy waste

Support for energy waste-cutting subsidies in both homes and in power transmission combined was 84%, and support for renewables subsidies combined 83%.

The findings highlight the case for the Government to develop a new strategy on energy efficiency, said Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

“Cutting waste is the cheapest and easiest way to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, and this survey suggests it’s also the most popular,” he said.

“With insulation rates falling to their lowest level since 2013 there’s a clear rationale for ministers re-invigorating policies that cut energy waste, and one obvious approach would be to make energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority.”

Marylyn Haines Evans, Vice Chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, agreed:“Wasting energy in the home, just like wasting food, makes little sense. We should be trying to get the most out of the energy we use,” she said.

"By rolling out insulation, double-glazing and better boilers more of us could be living in cosier homes with lower bills and less polluting carbon emissions.”

The ECIU/ComRes survey also shows substantial backing for renewable energy subsidies. Nearly three-quarters (73%) support subsidies for solar power, with 13% opposed; and two-thirds (66%) back subsidising wind, with 19% opposed. Support for subsidising renewables at early stages of development, such as tidal power, is even higher at 75%, with 9% opposed.

In contrast, for all non-renewable sources of energy tested, a higher proportion of Britons say they should not be subsidised than say they should. The difference is starkest for coal; 53% of people think coal should not receive subsidy compared with 23% who say it should. Forty-two percent oppose subsidising nuclear power while 33% back it; and 43% think subsidies should not be paid to support gas, against 31% infavour.

Recently the government has enacted several policy changes that cut support for renewable energy, while preparing to guarantee subsidies to the proposed new Hinkley C nuclear power station until 2058.

ComRes interviewed 2,015 GB adults online between the 16th and 17th September 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. The data tables are available on request. The survey and data table can also be found at http://www.comres.co.uk/polls/eciu-survey-on-energy-and-climate-change/