Brits Told to Work From Home and Use Ovens Less Amid Energy Crisis – and Reeves Can’t Help “Because She’s Maxxed Out Britain’s Credit Card”

“Energy-efficient households targeted in plan to promote ‘pro-environmental behaviours’” by Noah Eastwood • 18 March 2026
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/net-zero/nanny-state-plot-turn-down-heating/

“Officials in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) wanted to know how people could be dissuaded from consuming more energy after installing net-zero upgrades such as insulation and double glazing. … The report cited studies that blamed “moral licensing” whereby “individuals justify ‘immoral’ behaviour (such as turning up their heating) by having previously engaged in moral behaviour (such as installing energy efficient measures)”.”

Notice that consumer decisions about energy use are framed in religious terms (moral/immoral)

“It noted, however, that this phenomenon “has not been widely studied or observed in the context of energy efficiency” or so-called comfort taking. … The report centred on so-called “comfort taking”, a phenomenon where energy usage goes up after a home becomes more energy efficient, rather than falling as you might expect.”

This is kind of humorous. It was British Economist William Stanley Jevons who described and explained the phenomenon more than a century and a half ago. Economists call it Jevon’s paradox.

“It can limit the environmental benefits of green technology – potentially throwing Britain’s race to net zero into doubt if households “comfort take” en masse.”

You don’t say. Face Palm.

“London Economics’ report suggested the last government considered going further. The report explored a potential environmental tax, which would compensate for lower consumer costs because of improvements in energy efficiency.”

Beatings will continue until morale improves.