Government announces clean energy funding for Hitchin NHS site

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, has welcomed the news that Labour will be funding clean power upgrades that cut energy bills for the NHS.

The Government has today announced details of the nearly 200 NHS sites that will benefit from funding, jointly delivered with Great British Energy, with Hitchin’s Bedford Road Health Centre in line for funding.

Today’s announcement builds on the work of Great British Energy’s solar for schools and hospitals programme and will mean less money wasted on energy bills and more resources into frontline services. The Government announced last year that over 400 health centres and schools would receive funding for solar panels. Including St Mary’s Church of England Academy in Stotfold and Lister hospital in Stevenage.

It’s estimated that the measures announced this week will save the NHS nearly £30 million a year, with a handful of military sites across the country also set to benefit.

Since being elected Mr Strathern has been pushing for greater investment in clean energy technology, including successfully campaigning last year for solar panels to become mandated on all new homes.

Commenting, Alistair Strathern MP said:

“This fantastic investment by Great British Energy means that the NHS in Hitchin will be spending less money on energy bills and have more resources for the things that really matter - frontline staff, services and patient experience.

“Its good for the NHS, and good for the planet too.

“Through Great British Energy, this Government is delivering energy security, investing in our public services and delivering lower bills for our communities.

“I’m determined we don’t stop there and will continue to press the Government to invest in green, bill saving, technology for our local public services.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“We’re investing in clean power for the NHS so more money can go back into frontline services.

“This is our clean power mission in action – cutting bills, investing in our communities, and providing energy security for our country.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

“With lower bills for hospitals, better value for money, and a cleaner, more efficient NHS, everybody wins.

“Every penny of these savings will be redirected straight back into frontline care and

delivering an NHS patients, staff and the whole country can be proud of again.

“This investment will help us build an NHS fit for the future.”