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CLIMATE CHANGE

Council leaders call for local approach to energy efficiency

Council leaders have called for a new approach to energy efficiency after the latest figures revealed a big drop in the number of homes being insulated.

Council leaders have called for a new approach to energy efficiency after the latest figures revealed a big drop in the number of homes being insulated.

The Government's energy efficiency scheme supported just 60,000 homes last year - down from almost 500,000 in 2013.

Environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Linda Taylor, said: ‘National climate action is essential, but the complexity of supporting retrofitting in our 51 cities, 935 towns and 6,000 villages cannot be managed from a Whitehall desk and the national schemes are struggling.

‘It is now time to shift to a locally-led approach, which would mean councils can target the homes that need the support most while working with local businesses to build skills and growth.'

CLIMATE CHANGE

Fifty years on: Lessons from the Layfield report on local council funding

By Owen Mapley | 29 April 2026

Half a century from the Layfield Report on local government finance, many of the issues it raised remain and have become more complex, says Owen Mapley.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Restoring the third pillar of local authority finance: citizen investment

By Karl Harder | 23 April 2026

Karl Harder looks at the benefits of citizen investing.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Director to stand down after 30 years' service

By Martin Ford | 16 April 2026

John Smith has announced he is to retire as director of infrastructure services at Shetland Islands Council.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Winning the war on waste?

By David Blackman | 16 April 2026

Is Reform UK’s waste drive just a saloon bar dream or are there still genuine efficiencies to be gleaned in local government? David Blackman reports

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