The Government has removed it's funding for the Green Deal energy efficiency scheme which offers cash back and incentives on the installation of double glazing, insulation, and boilers.
However, although the decision puts an immediate halt on the issuing of new loans, those which already exist or are currently in progress will not be affected by the scrapping of the scheme.
Ministers fear that as figures show just 9,999 Green Deal plans 'live', and only 5,597 pending or applied for, that the scheme would be seen as a 'total flop' and a 'failure' hence driving the decision to bring the scheme to a halt.
Amber Rudd, the energy secretary, has said: "We are on the side of hardworking families and businesses - which is why we cannot continue to fund the Green Deal".
On the other hand, the Government are yet to produce a replacement scheme which deals with high energy bills through home energy efficiency which has caused much anger for Daisy Sands, Greenpeace UK head of energy as she says:
"The Green Deal was far from being a success, but coming right after the scrapping of the zero-carbon homes target, this latest move suggests ministers are giving up on efficiency. This would be a false economy. Fixing our heat-leaking homes is a triple-win policy that can bring down bills, cut carbon emissions, and reduce our dependence on energy imports.”
Additionally, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has also commissioned an independent review into consumer protection and standards following reports of households being ripped-off and scammed by the scheme.
