Latest Publications

Latest Publications:

Publication

Fixing the roof while the sun shines: Improving energy bill support for the coming winter

With high energy prices remaining this winter there is still a strong case for providing energy bill support. This briefing looks at the potential for reforming the Warm Homes Discount to provide more targeted and generous support to help struggling households afford energy bills.
Published: 03 April 2024
Author(s): Sam Robinson, John Asthana Gibson
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Publication

Lagging behind: New insights into the barriers to energy efficiency uptake

Britain has the leakiest homes in Europe, and the case for improving energy efficiency is only getting stronger. It is unclear if government support provided thus far is enough to encourage people improve their homes' energy efficiency. In this briefing, we present much-needed evidence on different consumers’ perspectives on the need for these measures, and the barriers to uptake.
Published: 29 March 2023
Author(s): Amy Norman, Niamh O Regan
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Publication

Fairer, warmer, cheaper: New energy bill support policies to support British households in an age of high prices

The current system of policies supporting households with high energy bills is inadequate for an era of high energy bills. In this final, report with Public First, we present a new policy framework that should be in place by spring 2024 – to ensure warmer homes, fairer use of public money, and overall cheaper bills. It is part of a wider project commissioned and supported by Citizens Advice.
Published: 08 March 2023
Author(s): Amy Norman, Scott Corfe, James Kirkup, Daisy Powell-Chandler
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Publication

Energy bill support: Designing policies to support British households in an age of high prices

Energy bills are expected to remain high for several more years, and are a reminder that we do not have durable and considered bill policies at a UK level. In this joint interim report with Public First, we set out a series of choices and challenges around the future of energy bill policy. It is part of a wider project commissioned and supported by Citizens Advice.
Published: 01 December 2022
Author(s): Amy Norman, Scott Corfe
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Publication

Miles Ahead: Road pricing as a fairer form of motoring taxation

As we transition towards electric vehicles that don’t incur fuel duty, the Treasury faces a revenue loss of £30bn each year. Given the unpopularity of fuel duty, this report explores the case for introducing a nationwide road pricing system in the UK – setting out a model that is fairer than fuel duty, replaces lost tax revenue, and reduces the burden on low-income households.
Published: 16 May 2022
Author: Scott Corfe
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Publication

It ain’t easy being green: maintaining consumer trust in green goods and addressing ‘greenwashing’ claims

This report examines how government and regulators can address the presence of "greenwashing" to ensure consumers do not feel misled by the costs or benefits of climate policy and green goods.
Published: 31 August 2021
Author: Amy Norman
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Publication

Together in electric dreams?

Decarbonising the surface transport sector is one of the most significant aspects of achieving the UK’s legal commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. This report addresses the challenges of rolling out electric vehicles and charging infrastructure efficiently and fairly for all.
Published: 08 March 2021
Author: Amy Norman
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Publication

Boiler alert: addressing the challenges and trade-offs from the decarbonisation of home heat

Informed by a recent expert roundtable and polling evidence commissioned for the SMF, the report highlights a lack of public understanding of Net Zero and the need to transition homes away from natural gas boilers.
Published: 02 November 2020
Author(s): Richard Hyde, Amy Norman
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Publication

Eliminating the poverty premium in energy

This report examines the ‘poverty premium’ in energy – a phenomenon where those living below the poverty line pay more when they buy their gas and electricity than higher-income households.
Published: 22 April 2018
Author(s): Nigel Keohane, Scott Corfe
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