IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Green Deal Finance Company funding to end – Thursday 23 July 2015

Green Deal Finance Company funding to end – Thursday 23 July 2015

In light of low take-up and concerns about industry standards there will be no further funding to the Green Deal Finance Company, in a move to protect taxpayers.

The Government will work with the building industry and consumer groups on a new value-for-money approach, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd announced today.

Amber Rudd also announced that the Government will stop any future funding releases of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.

Future schemes must provide better value for money, supporting the goal of insulating a million more homes over the next five years and the Government’s commitment to tackle fuel poverty.

This decision has no impact on existing Green Deal Finance Plans or existing Green Deal Home Improvement Fund applications and vouchers.

Today’s announcement comes as part of Government’s wider review of energy policies. The Energy and Climate Change Secretary has confirmed that her first priority is to get spending under control.

Amber Rudd said:

We are on the side of hardworking families and businesses – which is why we cannot continue to fund the Green Deal.

It’s now time for the building industry and consumer groups to work with us to make new policy and build a system that works.

Together we can achieve this Government’s ambition to make homes warmer and drive down bills for 1 million more homes by 2020 – and to do so at the best value for money for taxpayers.

The Government has commissioned an independent review led by Peter Bonfield to look at standards, consumer protection and enforcement of energy efficiency schemes and ensure that the system properly supports and protects consumers.

Current Government policies including the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme will continue to provide support this year to low-income and vulnerable households, reflecting the fact that ECO delivered 97% of home improvements in the last two years.

DECC will work in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government to improve the UK’s existing housing stock. The longer-term future of the Energy Company Obligation scheme will be part of these discussions around a new, better-integrated policy.

Green Deal participants:

Green Deal Providers are advised to contact GDFC directly for an update on the status of plans.

Green Deal Installers are advised to contact their contracting Green Deal provider for an update on the status of any planned installations.

Green Deal Assessors are advised that the Green Deal assessment framework remains open, and that consumers may still purchase Green Deal assessments.

If you have any further questions please contact the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body on:

  • GD ORB helpdesk: +44 (0) 207 090 1031

Consumer Enquiries:

General consumer enquiries should be directed to the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) on 0300 123 1234 (standard national rate, opening hours Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm), which provides independent and impartial advice about the Green Deal for consumers in England and Wales.

Advice for consumers in Scotland can be obtained from Home Energy Scotland (HES) on 0808 808 2282 (free from all UK mobile and landline numbers, opening hours Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm) or at www.greenerscotland.org

As well as providing free advice on the Green Deal, ESAS and HES will provide information about energy efficiency, microgeneration and other existing government schemes such as ECO.