Recommendation 15

Considering these difficulties, it comes as no surprise that industry criticised the design of the Scheme, and recommended greater consultation for future ones.41 The Department stated that whilst it did engage with industry before the Scheme’s launch, it was limited in what it was able to do until the formal fiscal announcement was made on 8 July.42 After this point, the Department had limited time until the Scheme’s launch 32 Q86 33 Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association, page 1 34 Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association, page 2 35 Qq 69–70 36 Q69, Federation of Master Builders, page 2 37 Qq 65–69 38 Q66, Q69–70 39 Federation of Master Builders, page 2, E3G, page 4 40 C&AG’s report, para 7 41 Federation of Master Builders, page 1, Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association, page 1, Solar Energy UK, page 4, MCS Certified and MCS Foundation page 8 42 Q83 Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme 13 at the end of September to fully engage with industry.43 However, it is unclear why the Department, which would presumably be in regular contact with industry anyway, was so lacking in an awareness of the complexities of the industry, and its actual capability to scale up over a short period.44 This is also despite previous recommendations from this Committee to ensure that policy decisions are thoroughly tested and based on accurate evidence that includes a robust evaluation of stakeholders’ views.45