A new coalition of 20 organisations from the construction, housing and environment sectors is calling for energy efficient in UK homes to become a "national infrastructure priority".

The coalition is calling for the government to invest £3-4 billion a year to fund a programme of energy efficiency to transform the UK's housing stock.

In an open letter to Lord Deighton, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, the heads of environmental groups the coalition warns that homes in the UK are among the "coldest and draughtiest in Europe".

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Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council, said: "There's a gaping hole at the heart of the Government's plan for infrastructure, and that gaping hole is the energy efficiency of our aging housing stock. Government has so far failed to recognise the huge opportunities it presents.

"But it's not too late. Making home energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority – and offering it significant support alongside transport, energy generation or communications projects - would not only cut households’ rocketing energy bills and help tackle climate change, but would create thousands of new jobs and strengthen the UK's energy security."

(CD/MH)