As the general election approaches energy prices remain a critical issue for homeowners across the UK.
With the country experiencing significant energy price rises many have been forced to go without heating, leaving millions in fuel poverty making energy policy a crucial factor in shaping the next government.
We reveal each of the UK's major political party's energy policies to see how you may be affected by each and see whose policies you most agree with.
Conservative's energy policy
The Conservatives have pledged a commitment to meet net zero by 2050 and encourage more sustainable energy production.
They have committed to creating more onshore and offshore wind farms and announced they will continue the Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028, providing £7,500 off the price of heat pumps but claim they do not want to make this mandatory by forcing homeowners to pay high prices to install heat pumps.
However, they have also announced they will be supporting new oil and gas extraction in the North Sea to reduce the reliance on foreign imports as well as funding nuclear power such as the Sizewell C power plant.
The Conservatives have also scrapped plans to upgrade all rental properties to an EPC rating of C.
Labour's energy policy
Labour have announced plans for the creation of a new publicly owned British energy company called 'Great British Energy' through their Energy Security Bill.
The aim is to take control of Britain's energy supply and invest in renewable energy sources and reduce reliance on overseas energy companies and ensure that at least 60% of the UK’s energy comes from renewable sources within twelve years.
They have also announced there will be a greater windfall tax on oil and gas company's profits.
Labour have also announced a Warm Homes Plan that aims to upgrade four million homes across the UK by better insulating homes and upgrading all homes to an EPC band C rating making them cheaper to heat, cutting household bills by up to £1,000 every year.
Liberal Democrats' energy policy
The Liberal Democrats claim they will raise the energy efficiency for all new homes to make sure they produce no carbon emissions.
They have committed to achieving net zero by 2045, five years earlier than the Conservatives and aim for 80% of the UK's electricity to come from renewable by 2030.
They aim to do this by creating a net zero delivery authority who would maintain standards as well as giving more powers to councils to cut emissions as well as provide further funding for promote community energy schemes.
The party have also announced a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas profits to provide relief for homeowners struggling with energy bills.
Reform's energy policy
In their 'Our contract with you' draft manifesto the Reform Party say they would nationalise 50% of "key utility companies" such as energy and water companies.
However, former leader Richard Tice has rejected the current government's net zero commitments claiming it is “net stupid” claiming it has resulted in higher energy bills.
They say they will remove all carbon emissions targets and increase fossil fuel-based energy supplies by accelerating oil and gas licences in the North Sea and opening up new coal mines.
They would also invest in nuclear energy by opening new small modular reactors.
Scottish National Party's energy policy
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has also announced plans to meet net zero targets by 2045, despite removing interim targets which caused their recent split with the Green Party in Scotland.
They have committed to spending £28 billion a year on green energy incentives, as well as expanding onshore and offshore wind turbines.
They have also announced they will be removing electricity and gas standing charges to provide relief for homeowners and will provide a £400 annual energy bill discount for households.
However, the SNP did object to Labour's proposal to raise the windfall tax on gas and oil from 75% of excess profits to 78% and the party have had internal disagreements on the policy to install heat pumps in all Scottish homes, which was deemed unfeasible by some MSPs last year.
Green Party's energy policy
The Green Party have established a ‘fabric first’ policy to help with energy bills by focusing on insulating homes before installing heat pumps or solar panels.
This is done to reduce the demand for electricity as they claim the UK's electricity supply network could not support a rapid rise in demand for electric heating options.
The Greens have also proposed a Cold Homes Strategy that will focus on retrofitting the most needy homeowners first such as the old, disabled or seriously ill by deploying a task force to examine and propose upgrades to homes.
They have also proposed the introduction of Local Area Energy Plans to accelerate renewable energy infrastructures whilst discouraging the creation of new fossil fuel power sources such as fracking, diesel farms and oil and gas-powered supply lines, which they hope to close by 2030.
Other parties' energy policies
The DUP have yet to release their full manifesto although Plaid Cymru Will be publishing their manifesto on June 13th.
