By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10:39 GMT, 30 December 2025 | Updated: 11:34 GMT, 30 December 2025

Ed Miliband is poised to splurge billions of pounds on solar power, batteries and heat pumps in a scramble to meet Labour's pledge to cut energy bills, it has emerged.

The Energy Secretary is expected to set out proposals next month to allocate up to £13billion over the next four years as part of the Government's warm homes plan.

According to The Times, a shift in policy will see billions of pounds invested in household grants for installing solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.

Ministers are said to believe the plans could see some homes become 'zero bill' - meaning they pay little or no money for power.

The newspaper also reported that the Government will lift restrictions on 'plug-in' solar panels that can be installed on balconies, patios or flat roofs.

This could see 'plug-in' solar panels, which can be plugged into a power point without the need for specialist support, made available in the middle aisle of supermarkets.

Prior to last year's general election, Labour promised its planned move to 'clean power' by 2030 would slash £300 off the average annual household energy bill.

Mr Miliband has stood by that pledge and denied his Net Zero drive is keeping Britons' energy costs high.

Ed Miliband is poised to splurge billions of pounds on solar power, batteries and heat pumps in a scramble to meet Labour's pledge to cut energy bills, it has emerged

Ministers are said to believe the mass expansion of solar power and batteries is the fastest and most cost-effective way to help voters see the benefits of Net Zero

At the Budget last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to cut energy bills by £150 a year by scrapping some green levies.

But it has been claimed much of this saving will be wiped out by new energy levies to help fund upgrades to Britain's power grid and maintenance of gas pipelines.

Ministers are said to believe the mass expansion of solar power and batteries is the fastest and most cost-effective way to help voters see the benefits of Net Zero.

'This is all about bills,' a Government source said.

Nigel Banks of Octopus Energy, the UK's largest energy supplier, said up to one million homes that already had good insulation could become 'zero bill' if they had solar panels, batteries and a heat pump installed.

'With flexible energy tariffs, the opportunity is now there for homeowners to effectively pay no energy bills at all,' he said.