GreenWeek Vol 48. July 25, 2015

Subsidies slashed Where the axe is falling in dramatic new cuts and all the industry reaction P4&5 By subscription only Radioactive waste Nuclear regulator accuses Defence chiefs of breaking Health & Safety laws P8 Wildlife at risk Study names species at greatest danger from UK climate change P14 GreenWeek ClickGreen’s review of all the week’s news, views, research and analysis with a focus on low carbon and sustainability Volume 48: July 24, 2015 Poor industry standards blamed as DECC shuts down Green Deal No new applications accepted with immediate effect, as Government calls time By Stuart Qualtrough Deal scheme T hehasGreen been closed to all new applications after the Government ruled out further funding of the Green Deal Finance Company. Concerned about the low take-up and poor industry standards, Energy Ministers decided to call time on the troubled scheme, saying the move would protect taxpayers. Energy Secretary Amber Rudd also announced that the Government will stop any future funding releases of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund. The Government says it will now work with the building industry and consumer groups on a new value-for-money approach. The decision has no impact on existing Green Deal Finance Plans or Green Deal Home Improvement Fund applications and vouchers. Amber Rudd said: “We are on the side of hardworking families and businesses – which is why we cannot continue to fund the Green Deal. “It’s now time for the building industry and consumer groups to work with us to make new policy and build a system that works. “Together we can achieve this Government’s ambition to make homes warmer and drive down bills for a million more homes by 2020 – and do so at the best value for money for taxpayers.” The Government has A review of energy efficiency policy has seen the sudden death of the Green Deal commissioned an independent review led by Peter Bonfield to look at standards, consumer protection and enforcement of energy efficiency schemes and ensure that the system properly supports and protects consumers. Government policies including the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme will continue to provide support this year to lowincome and vulnerable households. DECC says it will work in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government to improve the UK’s existing housing stock. The longerterm future of the ECO scheme will be part of these discussions around a new, better-integrated policy. In a statement, the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) said it will no longer be able to quote for further Green Deal Plan applications. and will cease taking applications for new plans with immediate effect We are on the side of hardworking families and businesses – which is why we cannot continue to fund the Green Deal Amber Rudd, Energy Secretary from 3.30pm on 23 July. The company says this is to ensure that sufficient funds exist to support those applications that have been lodged in recent weeks and are already being processed. GDFC intends to purchase all eligible applications that were booked in its systems. All customer repayments under existing plans will continue as normal. The decision was taken in response to the review by DECC of energy efficiency policy and the subsequent decision not to increase the size of the current commercial loan between GDFC and DECC. Mark Bayley, Chief Executive, Green Deal Finance Company, said: “We are proud of what has been achieved in only a relatively short time: our business has grown from its inception two years ago to over £60m in plans and applications today. We have more than met our mandate of creating a national infrastructure for a PayAs-You-Save scheme.” Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council, said: “With each passing day, this Government puts an end to another green policy. Government’s strategy on dealing with high energy bills through home energy efficiency is now dead in the water. “While the Green Deal was by no means perfect, the principle was sound. The irony is that the scheme was finally becoming established and the number of plans was growing.”