It is “clear” the UK needs a future homes standard to help those struggling with the cost of living, Ed Miliband has said, as he visited a “zero-bills” new-build in Staffordshire.

Mr Miliband said he was “incredibly impressed” with the Octopus Energy initiative, which guarantees zero energy bills for five years on new homes kitted out with a combination of solar panels, a home battery and a heat pump.

Octopus Energy is partnering with housing developers to try to make their zero-bills tariff the standard for new homes.

Ed Miliband and another man at doorway of a new-build zero bills home in Staffordshire
Shadow secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband, during a visit to a zero-bills home in Stafford (Jacob King/PA)

The shadow energy secretary was visiting Bellway Homes’ housing development, Victoria Gate, in Stafford on Wednesday.

He said: “I think it’s really, really important to say to people, this is about the future and it’s about tackling the cost-of-living crisis that people are facing.

“I think most people who’ve been offered the chance to buy a zero-bills home would say, ‘where’s the catch?’.

Ed Miliband walks past new-build homes wearing a hard hat and pink hi-vis with a group of people
Ed Miliband is shown around the Bellway Homes development in Stafford (Jacob King/PA)

“Well, as far as I can tell, there isn’t a catch and that’s because the combination of battery technology, heat pump technology and solar panels in a new-build home, can get you to a zero-bills home.

“Now, obviously, when it comes to the future home standard, we’re going to look, if we get into government, at the details of that and so that will require thorough examination.

“But I think what’s clear is we should have a future home standard and that’s the right thing for the environment, but crucially, it’s the right thing for tackling the cost-of-living crisis because year on year on year of lower bills or zero bills is something I think we’d all want to see.”