Friday 10 December 2010

Green deal must have Government clout

Consumer Focus, the regulatory body in charge of looking at fairness for consumers says the Green Deal needs full support of the Government if its to live up to expectations.

On Wednesday Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said he would ensure the Green Deal would be good for consumers and would ensure they were protected from dodgy cowboy builders who might try and exploit the incentives on home insulation. But Consumer Focus said it would need more than words to ensure the deal works for those who need it most.

Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: "We welcome the aims of the Green Deal and the plan for tough rules for installers. However if the Green Deal is to be the success we all want to see, consumers need to have complete faith that it will work for them, and the Government still has a long way to go in addressing all the concerns customers will have.

"Accreditation and protection are essential, but if consumers are to take up this deal, they need clearer incentives. The Green Deal involves consumers making a long term financial commitment and they will need to have confidence that the savings will justify this step. We must also make sure that the benefits of the Green Deal are accessible to all, especially those on low income who are often most difficult to reach and have most to gain from energy efficiency measures."

The Green Deal comes into force in 2012, its claimed by the government that 26 million homes in the UK could benefit in some way from it and as well as many businesses. It's estimated there are 14 million insulation measures like loft, cavity and solid wall to be carried out in Britain's homes and that the most energy inefficient homes in the UK could save, on average, around £550 per year.

Read our related story "Huhne rides cowboy builders out of town"