For too long, our public services have been paying the price of Conservative failure on energy. While households and businesses in Peterborough have felt the squeeze of rising bills, our local schools, hospitals, and health services are forced to waste money on skyrocketing energy costs.
That’s money that should be going into patient care, staff support, and improving services for everyone.
That’s why it’s good to see our Labour government stepping in with a practical solution. Through Great British Energy, a publicly owned company investing in clean power, the government is funding upgrades that will reduce energy bills for nearly 200 NHS sites across the country – including here in Peterborough.
Two local facilities, the CAMEO Early Intervention Service on London Road and the Intensive Support Service on Thorpe Road, will share over £39,000 in funding to install solar panels, batteries, and other energy efficiency measures. These measures will save almost £30 million a year across the NHS nationally, freeing up resources to reinvest directly into frontline care.
It’s not just about cutting bills. It’s about building a cleaner, more resilient energy system that works for everyone. Great British Energy is the first publicly owned energy company in the UK for 75 years. By investing in clean power, Labour is helping our hospitals become more energy-efficient, supporting climate goals, and ensuring we spend public money wisely.
For Peterborough, the benefits are clear. Spending less on energy bills means more money for staff, equipment, and patient care. It also shows how local action can support broader national goals, improving energy security while helping our communities and services thrive. Projects like this demonstrate that clean power isn’tjust about the environment; it’s about supporting public services, protecting jobs, and making sure our NHS is fit for the future.
Every penny saved will be redirected straight back into care and support for patients, staff, and the wider community. It’s a practical, common-sense investment that will have a real impact locally, helping our NHS deliver the high-quality care residents expect and deserve.
The upgrades in Peterborough may be smaller in scale, but they’re part of a much bigger picture, one where public services can invest in themselves, reduce costs, and be better prepared for the challenges ahead. This is how public ownership and smart investment can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
I’ll continue to watch how this funding is rolled out locally and nationally to ensure our hospitals see the full benefit. Clean energy isn’t just a long-term goal, it’ssomething that can help people here in Peterborough today, and I’m pleased that our community is seeing its first tangible impact.