Comment: Energy measures in Growth Plan

“If prices stay high, the government’s gas subsidy bill would be several times the investment needed to get all 28 million homes in Britain properly insulated. Boosting the ECO scheme could well end up being cost neutral on Treasury with insulation cutting gas demand and so the overall price tag of the bailout.

“The ban on onshore wind – which around 8 in 10 people support – has been a major anomaly in British energy policy given it's both cheap and popular with the public. So a decision to lift the ban suggests the new government has listened to the experts and understands building more British renewables reduces our reliance on costly gas and so brings down bills.”