Green councillor Rob White has campaigned to insulate Reading homes.
Reading’s Labour-run council has had to return £495,000 of a government grant which was for insulating more Reading homes.
The grant had to be returned because the council overestimated the number of council properties which would be eligible and the council was unable to “generate sufficient interest in projects in the private sector”.
Green councillor Rob White said: “It leaves me speechless that Labour-run Reading Council has had to return £0.5 million worth of grant money for insulating homes.
“Over one year ago, we moved a budget amendment for a council officer to get more homes insulated. Labour councillors voted this down, but then said they would recruit someone to a very similar position. A year on and the council has only recently started the recruitment process.
“If Labour councillors had listened then, there would be more capacity around getting homes insulated. This would mean better grant applications and more of the £0.5 million grant being spent for the benefit of Reading residents.
“At least 7000 of our Reading households live in fuel poverty and this number is unfortunately only going upwards. These residents, our neighbours, cannot afford to heat their homes properly. No one should have to choose between heating and eating. £0.5 million would have reduced fuel bills for some of these people substantially whilst doing our bit to help the country get off Russian gas. Greens will keep standing up for all Reading residents especially those living in poverty.”