Campaigners from a new coalition of local organisations fighting for warm homes will gather in Southampton tomorrow (Saturday, December 3) as part of a national day of action on the energy price crisis.
The campaign aims to unite communities and organisations across the area that are working towards a common goal: warm homes that don’t cost the Earth.
Protesters will be in Shirley precinct from 1pm to 2 pm with a Samba band, placards and leaflets for shoppers and passers by.
The national day of action is being coordinated by the campaign Warm This Winter, supporting part of a UK-wide day of events pressuring the government to take swift and transformative action to stop people going cold this winter and beyond.
With around six million people predicted to be in fuel poverty this winter, campaigners are urging the government to take stock and listen to the common sense solutions that will both lower skyrocketing energy bills and cut harmful carbon emissions.
They argue that this means additional financial support for those struggling to afford to heat their homes to ensure people stay warm and well during the colder months.
They also argue that longer-term solutions, that will bring down bills for good and prevent a year-on-year energy price crisis, are badly needed. Campaigners are urging the government to rapidly roll out a national programme to fix the UK’s poorly insulated homes, which are among the worst in Europe. This is one of the cheapest and quickest ways to bring down the nation’s energy bills.
They argue that this should be done alongside reaping the UK’s full renewable power potential and scaling up the production of cheap, popular clean energy. Combined, these measures can slash energy prices, keep homes warm and reduce the amount of carbon unleashed into the atmosphere.
“The coldest months are yet to come, and still the government has no credible plan to ease the pain of the cost of living crisis for millions of people, or lower our energy bills for good,” said a spokesperson.
“The number of people facing fuel poverty this winter has more than doubled compared to last year. Clearly, there are too many facing bleak and difficult months ahead and in desperate need of support.
“Going beyond the short-term and rolling out the measures that will help to lower bills for good must also be at the top of the government’s agenda. By committing to a nationwide insulation programme and a plan to rapidly ramp up the production of cheap, clean and popular renewable energy, the government can slash energy bills, cut carbon emissions and keep each and every one of us warm.”
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