The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has urged Rishi Sunak to follow through on his suggestion in the summer that hundreds of millions of pounds be diverted into insulating homes.

Sunak, during the first of this year’s Conservative party leadership contests in July, was reported by the Times as saying he wants to see money currently focused on heat pumps and decarbonisation measures for public buildings instead refocused on an insulation programme for people on low incomes.

Sunak said: “If we can refocus that money to do these types of interventions, which are quicker and cheaper, that seems like a sensible thing for us to be focusing on.” The comments came before Liz Truss announced an energy bill support package in September and it is not clear if Sunak is considering such a move.