BRITAIN’S poorest fork out six times more of their income on government green energy policy than the wealthiest, a study published yesterday shows.

The policies are paid for partly by levies on energy bills, but those on the lowest incomes are excluded from the cheapest energy tariffs as they are more reliant on pre-pay meters and have reduced internet access.

Think tank the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), which conducted the study, recommended offering a “green levy allowance,” funded by new energy policy ideas, which would protect low-income households.

It also suggested publicly owned but privately run nuclear plants to reduce the cost of building new nuclear capacity and Danish-style offshore wind farm development.

“The government’s plan to hike up green levies on energy bills risks causing a public backlash against action to address climate change, especially because they hit the poorest households hardest,” said the IPPR’s Joss Garman.