Environmental Audit Committee: Green Homes Grant survey results

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has written to Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng following the EAC’s recent survey on early attempts to access the Green Homes Grant where those applying for the grant gave their verdict. The EAC has requested details of what improvements will be made now the scheme has been extended to March 2022.

In total, 510 people responded to the survey. Alarmingly, 86% of those responding to the survey had a poor experience with the process, with just over half applying finding the Green Homes Grant eligibility calculator helpful. However, after checking eligibility and applying for the grant, many people experienced delays in receiving responses to their applications leading to some quotes expiring.

At the time of the survey being conducted between 2nd and 16th November, 6 to 8 weeks after the scheme was launched on 30th September, only 5.6% of respondents had received a voucher for energy efficiency measures to be installed.

Many found that they were unable to install the measures they required, with confusion over primary and secondary measures (with the eligibility for the latter requiring the former to have been installed). The Committee heard during evidence by the UK Green Building Council that there was a problem with sequencing since draught-proofing and heating controls are secondary measures, which it would be wise to install prior to putting in a heat pump.

Further, 75% of respondents found it difficult to find a TrustMark registered contractor to carry out the works, with responses describing how contractors were either unaware of the scheme or were not prepared to sign up to it. This lack of engagement was endorsed by the Federation of Master Builders who indicated that the industry had not been consulted on design of the scheme. Yet contractors who were TrustMark accredited for installations under the scheme have been inundated with requests, demonstrating a capacity problem which suggests the original target is at risk of not being met.

Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said:

“The Government’s initiative for the Green Homes Grant should be commended. However, if we are to succeed in carrying out the amount of energy efficiency upgrades in homes that are needed, it is already clear that the scheme is not going to achieve its initial targets. Homes emit an astonishing 20% of the UK’s CO2, and we cannot come close to reaching net-zero without seriously addressing energy efficiency concerns in our existing building stock.

“Now the scheme has been extended, which is very welcome, I hope the Government learns from this initial feedback gleaned by my Committee. It must make swift improvements to reviewing applications promptly; ensuring there are enough TrustMark accredited contractors; and to clear up the confusion between primary and secondary measures.”