New Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Davey officially launched the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO), a dedicated team within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), at the John Lewis Partnership's Peter Jones store in Sloane Square, London, yesterday (8 February).
EEDO has been set up to drive forward energy efficiency policy and make it more relevant to people's everyday lives. It will help to deliver the Green Deal, alongside other energy saving policies.

Addressing business leaders at the launch Mr Davey began by saying: 'I'm hugely enthusiastic about energy efficiency. It's the cheapest way of cutting carbon - and cutting bills for consumers. It has to be at the heart of what we do. That's why the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office was set up.'

'EEDO will be a centre of expertise, challenging our work and making energy efficiency real and relevant to people's everyday lives,' he added.

He pointed out that two out of three consumers think their home is wasting energy but only one in three plans to do anything about it. More than a third of consumers aren't aware that energy suppliers offer cheap insulation. 'For families facing higher bills, more efficiency could make a real difference. Homes without insulation could save hundreds by getting lofts lagged and walls treated.'

A 50-strong team based at DECC's headquarters in London will combine expertise from across the department. EEDO staff will continue to support the delivery of the Green Deal, the rollout of smart meters and the increase in renewable heat. They will also develop a new energy efficiency strategy to identify the potential for further energy efficiency across the economy.

DECC has also launched a call for evidence to help underpin the energy efficiency strategy.

Responding to Mr Davey's speech, Friends of the Earth director, Andy Atkins, said: 'Ed Davey is right that insulation is the cheapest way to cut fuel bills, but the Government's Green Deal means fewer homes will be insulated and that Britain's poorest people will be left out in the cold.'

'Ed Davey must make it cheaper and easier to save energy at home and introduce rules to ensure properties are well insulated when they are sold,' he added.