Business's fierce opposition to the Government's climate change levy has obscured the fact that some large employers face possible windfall savings on their National Insurance (NI) contributions.
Local authorities have both high energy usage and large payrolls.
The levy is a potential boost to them and to the environment.
National Energy Action hopes to see these NI savings channelled into energy efficiency programmes targeted at the fuel-poor.
Britain's poorest citizens live in the country's worst and least energy efficient housing.
Any schemes to benefit them will have a proportionately greater effect on the environment and will stimulate job creation, as well as help to reduce the 30,000-plus cold-related deaths that occur in Britain every winter.
Andrea Cook,
Director,
National Energy Action,
Pilgrim Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne.
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