Tuesday 17th January 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The
Government’s Green Deal initiative to makes our homes more energy efficient is
in danger of failing at the first hurdle unless it provides a range of
additional incentives to encourage householders to take it up, warns the
Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its response to the Government’s Green
Deal consultation, which closes on Wednesday (18th January 2012).
Brian Berry,
Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
“With rising
energy bills there is an urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of our
housing stock as it is far less energy efficient than that of our European
neighbours’. However, householders will need to be convinced of the value of
retrofitting their home particularly when the price is having a new charge
attached to their electricity bill. The quickest and easiest way to create
consumer demand would be to reduce VAT on Green Deal improvements or reduce
Stamp Duty.”
Berry
continued:
“Another
concern is how local building companies will be able to access the Green Deal
given that few, if any, will become recognized Green Deal Providers because of
the onerous conditions attached to providing the finance packages. This is a
lost opportunity as it is the local builder who is best placed to advise
householders about energy efficient improvements when they are carrying out
other home improvements or repairs.
Berry added:
“The
Government has rightly tacked the need to eliminate rogue traders by insisting
on the need to have Green Deal accredited installers. Local builders already
have many of the key skills in place to carry out energy efficiency
improvements but now they need an operational accreditation framework that
enables them to demonstrate their skills and knowledge at the standard
required. The Government’s delay in approving recognised competency schemes is
not helpful and swift action is needed if the building industry is going to be
ready for the launch in October. We know that the Green Deal has the potential
to create some 65,000 new construction jobs which is why it is so important
that we have the training courses ready at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Berry concluded:
“We want the
Green Deal to be a success but it won’t be unless the Government considers
seriously the need to introduce fiscal incentives for homeowners, creates a
level playing field to enable local building companies to access the market,
and ensures that training courses are quickly approved to accredit local
builders.”
