THE government is on track to insulate just one-sixth of the homes needed to meet its target of reducing energy consumption by 15 per cent, according to a new analysis.

WWF UK and ScottishPower said there is a “substantial gap” emerging between what is on course to be delivered and what is needed to reach the government’s target.

As well as five million more homes insulated by 2030, their analysis estimates that 1.5m homes will need heat pumps instead of gas boilers, with a further 600,000 homes connected to low-carbon heat networks.

WWF and ScottishPower said the government needs to step up its plans and accelerate its delivery in order to reach more homes before the end of the decade.

Research from the two organisations also found that energy-efficient homes, which were insulated and equipped with a range of low-carbon technologies such as solar panels and EV chargers, could save up to £2,300 a year on their energy bills compared to those without.

Poverty campaigners have also called for the fixing of leaky homes to support struggling households.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said that the government’s record on energy efficiency “speaks for itself.”