Green deal assessments fail to result in work

Figures released this morning by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show of the 38,259 assessments carried out since between the launch of the scheme in January and 16 June, only 245 plans for work have been agreed.

Under the green deal households can get energy efficiency work carried out without paying up front. They repay the cost of the work in instalments linked to their energy bill savings.

The accompanying energy company obligation scheme, which uses funding from energy firms to fund efficiency work, has been more successful, with 81,798 measures installed.

The Federation of Master Builders said the green deal figures are evidence the initiative is failing, and called for the government to cut VAT on energy efficienct glazing and boiler replacements to 5 per cent to boost take up.

Chief executive Brian Berry said: ‘Green deal finance was supposed to bring about a dramatic increase in the number of people improving the energy efficiency of their property by removing the upfront cost, but the complexity of the scheme and the high interest rate is severely limiting the number of households that see the green deal as relevant.’

The National Insulation Association said the ECO figures also fall ‘well short of the levels required’ to meet targets set by expert advisory group the Committee on Climate Change.

Climate change minister Greg Barker defended the schemes.

‘The green deal is an ambitious and uniquely long-term programme designed to upgrade the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes,’ he said. ‘It’s only just getting started, but the early signs are encouraging.’