Industry still waiting for Green Deal clarity

Firms are still awaiting clarity over issues such as accreditation, financing and market take-up.

The Green Deal consultation document, expected this week, is thought unlikely to include financial incentives on VAT reductions or stamp duty.

The need for clarity on the scheme was among the priorities raised with construction minister Mark Prisk (pictured) at the first meeting of the government’s Green Construction Board.

Speaking to H&V News, Mr Prisk said: “One of the first remarks at the meeting was on the Green Deal; that people within industry want to know how it will work and the details.

“Although the GCB is not running it, I can’t think of a better forum to test out the practicalities of what’s going on.”

The government hopes the scheme will retrofit 14 million homes by 2020 and support around 100,000 jobs by 2015.

Sources said they expect the industry’s response to the consultation document will be fast-tracked because the scheme’s launch is less than a year away.

Electrical Contractors Association head of environment Paul Reeve said he was particularly concerned that extra certification will be added to the existing qualification landscape.

“People are already trained in this work and it would be irresponsible to burden them with further qualifications under the Green Deal.

The government needs to know there is a ‘plan B’ in which local contractors, rather than major energy companies or retailers, offer a much more direct route to the homeowner.”

It is understood a draft paper of potential financial incentives drawn up within the DECC to maximise take-up of the scheme is being considered by the Treasury, but is unlikely to be part of the consultation document.

Other incentives being considered within the DECC include an extension of the Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance, whereby tax is reduced for energy-efficient buildings.

The DECC is to seek a contractor to manage processes such as registering assessors, installers and providers, collecting fees and compiling evidence.

Medium-sized firms have held early talks about forming consortia to become Green Deal providers due to fears that SMEs will be locked out of the market.

Federation of Master Builders director of external affairs Brian Berry said: “I think the consultation document will be quite open in terms of methods of delivering the Green Deal, which means we might be well into next year before we know more.”