Costly future

Energy prices in the future are going to be frighteningly high. Last week, energy regulator Ofgem published its predictions for the future. Even the good scenarios look scary. Our creaking energy infrastructure will need investment of between £95 billion and £200 billion. The cash is needed partly because of our international carbon reduction commitments and partly because there hasn’t been enough investment in the energy infrastructure for decades.

That money has to come from somewhere and it is likely to come out of our pockets. Energy bills are predicted to increase by 14 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020, with a possible jump of 60 per cent.

So while social landlords are concerned about rent floors and rent arrears, they should perhaps be thinking a bit more about the energy efficiency of the homes that they are renting.

It is no good if someone is living in a lovely social home if they can’t afford to heat it. Too many people, especially the elderly, already choose between putting the heating on and buying food and the recession has pushed more people into fuel poverty.

It will take a long time to overhaul the social housing stock and cut fuel bills. Social landlords need to put this on their agenda now.