Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted in Part
Introduce national workforce accreditation and contractor licensing schemes for all retrofit work, ensuring consumer redress.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government introduces a national workforce accreditation scheme and a national contractor licensing scheme as a prerequisite for carrying out any retrofit work. These should be granted powers to revoke licenses or impose financial penalties for poor quality work and provide consumers with clear avenues for redress. A small registration fee would help fund a national warm homes advice service, which would signpost consumers to certified workers. The national workforce accreditation scheme could replicate the successful model adopted by the Gas Safe Register. (Recommendation, Paragraph 161)
Government Response Summary
The government announced an intention to conduct a sweeping overhaul of the system of standards, oversight, and consumer protections for retrofit. They are exploring a full range of options for a new system that ensures quality and clear redress, drawing insights from models like the Gas Safe Register, and will provide an update in the Warm Homes Plan.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
In January 2025, Ministers announced their intention to conduct a sweeping overhaul of the system of standards, oversight and consumer protections for retrofit. The Department is exploring a full range of options to determine a new system of oversight that is straightforward for customers and installers to engage with and that ensures the highest levels of quality, and direct pathways to redress when needed. We are drawing insights from a full range of consumer protection models, including those that are government led such as the Gas Safe Register and industry led schemes. The Department will continue working closely with industry stakeholders, installers and consumer representatives to ensure this work contributes to supporting the sector and will provide an update in the Warm Homes Plan.