On the 2nd of June British Climate Change Minister Greg Barker set out plans to ensure that the Green Deal works for consumers. The plan encompasses the following measures:
- People will be able to access up to 10,000 pounds upfront to pay for energy efficiency work, repaying the costs through savings on energy bills.
- A new code “Consumer Protection in the Green Deal” seeks to protect consumers at every stage of the Green Deal from initial assessment to installation.
- Set up of a new Green Deal advice line to provide impartial advice.
Minister Barker emphasised: “The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it’s vital people can trust it.”
British consumer organizations welcomed the plan. Richard Llyod, executive director of Which? said: “We've said from the start that consumers need to be at the centre of the Green Deal, so it's great that the climate change minister has announced measures to protect them.” And Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: “Particularly welcome moves are the introduction of an independent advice line and more robust complaints handling and redress measures.”
Further information: www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_045/pn11_045.aspx, www.which.co.uk/news/2011/06/the-green-deal-must-be-a-good-deal-255074/ and www.consumerfocus.org.uk/news/green-deal-must-win-consumer-trust
Source: Department of Energy & Climate Change, Which? and Consumer Focus