Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Paragraph: 69
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a scheme for owner occupiers to fund energy efficiency...
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a scheme for owner occupiers to fund energy efficiency improvements. Such a scheme is essential in order to achieve the ambition to reach energy efficient homes by 2030, given this is by far the largest pool of housing stock across the UK. But the Green Homes Grant has been rushed in conception and poorly implemented. In its haste to create a scheme to deliver economic stimulus, the Government failed to consult industry adequately on its delivery, set a timescale which was overly short term and has presided over scheme administration which appears nothing short of disastrous. If the ambition for the scheme to retrofit 600,000 homes envisaged completion of the work by the end of the current financial year, then the Government has been wildly optimistic in its scheme planning and industry engagement. The impact of its botched implementation has had devastating consequences on many of the builders and installers that can do the work, who have been left in limbo as a result of the orders cancelled and time taken to approve applications.
Paragraph Reference:
69
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
8 Energy efficiency of existing homes: Government Response The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, while recognised by many stakeholders as an important initiative, has not been delivering at the rate and scale we had originally hoped. With over 52,000 vouchers issued, worth over £221 million, it has made encouraging progress, but it was important to take stock and consider our approach to upgrading the energy efficiency of homes. After reviewing the efficacy of the Voucher scheme, we decided to close the scheme to new applications from 5pm on 31st March. The Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme was designed to provide a short-term economic stimulus while tackling our contribution to climate change. It was important to roll out the scheme quickly to help stimulate the economy and protect and create jobs in the green construction sector. measures prior to announcement. We engaged industry representatives extensively at our earliest opportunity, following the Chancellor’s ‘A Plan for Jobs’ announcement on 8 July, prior to formal launch of the scheme. The Voucher scheme was impacted by several delivery challenges, including performance challenges on the part of the scheme administrator. We are working closely with our partners within industry, as well as the scheme administrator, to address the problems and concerns. Consumers and installers will continue to be supported through the process by the scheme administrator.