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Key industry figures took to Twitter last night to vent their frustration at the DECC’s decision to close applications for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.
A surge in applications over the last two days means the allocated budget has now been reached. All applications received prior to the fund closing that satisfy the terms and conditions and meet the eligibility criteria will be honoured at the original rates.
The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund was set up in June to help households in England and Wales improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
But last night industry experts could not hide their disappointment at the closure of the scheme. Knauf Insulation MD John Sinfield, last night tweeted: “The farce that is UK #ee policy gets worse. @DECCgovuk close #GDHIF EARLIER than they said only 3 days ago.”
Richard Twinn, policy and public affairs officer at the UK Green Building Council, said: “The sudden and immediate closure of this fund is another setback for the energy efficiency industry because companies have specifically geared up to market and deliver through this scheme.
“These constant changes are not helpful to industry. We now need urgent clarity as to whether Government will bring forward any more money to ensure continuity of Green Deal work.
“This does demonstrate that we need long-term drivers, not short term pots of cash to avoid this continual cycle of boom and bust.”
