The DECC’s Green Deal, intended to reduce carbon emissions by allowing homeowners to pay for energy efficiency improvements through savings on bills, may be under threat. According to official leaked documents, David Cameron has intervened to block proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations. This could prevent 2.2 million homes from partaking in the Green Deal; a figure approximately 10% above government’s stated goals for the policy.
This news came to light following the construction industry’s call to government to boost the Green Deal in order to drive economic growth. This call comes amid worries that the policy’s “soft launch” will delay full implementation and lead to job losses in construction.
Following government consultations in April and pressure to ditch the green deal policy, Number 10 stated that the proposal will not go ahead. Later in May however, DCLG consultations showed that 82% were in favour of the Green Deal. The Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings, an impartial organisation facilitating closer working between business, government and community organisations, has also stated that it “beggars belief” that the government would not support the policy; especially with such overwhelming industry support.
Former Liberal Democrat communities minister, Andrew Stunell, has stated that it is widely recognised within government that the Green Deal is a very cheap way of delivering their pledge to be the “greenest government ever”. Although the final decision on whether the Green Deal will go ahead is uncertain, Andrew Stunell has stated that it was still being considered despite the PM’s opposition. DCLG have said that the outcome will be announced in due course.
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