Grant Shapps has launched a public information campaign advising people how to make financial savings this winter – months after the former prime minister Liz Truss blocked it.
The £18m campaign, called It Adds Up, claims people could save £230 a year by implementing what is says are simple measures.
Radio and TV adverts will be rolled out and a dedicated website, Help for Households, will be launched to encourage people to restrict use of their electrical appliances.
The campaign launched with a video in which the energy secretary encourages people to save money by stopping draughts and turning down boilers and while battling with a pesky Elf on the Shelf.
The 65-second clip, shared online on Saturday morning, immediately drew ridicule on social media.
The campaign launch comes weeks into the winter, with temperatures across the UK falling to below freezing while energy bills have risen significantly.
Two months ago, Truss chose to ignore the government’s climate advisers by opposing a winter energy-saving campaign.
The climate change committee wrote to Truss, who would soon after be forced to resign, as early as September outlining the need for a “comprehensive energy advice service” to reduce demand.
“Public awareness of what can be done to reduce energy use [either in homes or businesses] is too low,” the advisers wrote.
“Specific advice on this could help in the near term by increasing awareness of low or zero-cost actions that could reduce wasted energy straight away, such as lowering boiler flow temperatures and simple draught proofing.
“Lowering boiler flow temperatures can reduce gas consumption alone by 6% to 8%.”
Clare Moriarty, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “This winter, many people will be worried about how much they might have to spend to heat their homes. These tips should help cut down the cost of staying warm.”
Shapps tweeted on Saturday: “I’m doing my best to lower my energy bills while still keeping warm. Unfortunately, my Elf on the Shelf has other ideas.”
In the video, he says: “This winter, there are a number of different things we can do to lower our bills and keep our homes warmer, like switching off appliances at the wall, reducing the boiler flow temperature and using low cost draught protection. It really does all add up.”
The minister’s attempt at acting include a running battle with the Elf on a Shelf, which he eventually throws out his front door.
The video was mocked on social media. One person accusing Shapps of gaslighting the public, while others criticised the government for allowing energy companies to continue making profits during the cost of living crisis.
What is the government advising and how much could you save?
Turning your combi boiler flow temperature down to 60C could save you up to £100 a year.
Turning down radiators in rooms you aren’t using or use less could save you up to £70 a year.
Finding and fixing draughts could save you up to £60 a year.
Insulating your hot water cylinder could save you up to £70 a year.
Switching to energy saving lightbulbs could save you up to £55 a year.
