Today, the Government has announced that 39 installers under the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) frameworks have been suspended
The suspensions come as a result of findings of poor quality insulation work in many of the jobs undertaken by the installers.
The homes affected by the insulation will also be eligible for repairs at no cost to them.
The poor quality insulation was discovered by TrustMark
TrustMark is an independent body that oversees and monitors tradespeople working in homes.
Their investigations found many instances of substandard solid wall insulation having been fitted since 2022 under the ECO4 and GBIS schemes.
The government has now taken action to suspend the installers of this insulation and expand the checks of solid wall insulation under the schemes moving forward to ensure quality is improved and maintained.
The plan to repair the existing poor quality insulation is being enacted immediately, and is being overseen by Ofgem. Repair works are to be funded by the companies responsible for the substandard work in the first place, under protections in the schemes, to protect the consumer from paying anything.
Letters are being sent to all the affected households, meaning an on-site visit for some to determine whether their insulation work requires repair. In the case that it does, either the certification body for that specific installer or TrustMark will arrange the repair work as soon as possible.
Many issues can affect the insulation
The identified issues include missing or incomplete paperwork, insufficient ventilation, and missing or exposed insulation, causing damp and mould risks. Installers that do not correct these issues will be permanently banned from working on any Government scheme again.
The Government say that these issues are not likely to have spread beyond those under the ECO4 and GBIS scheme, as there is a stronger system of checks and balances ensuring quality in other energy efficiency schemes.
Minister for energy consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: “I know this news will be concerning for people who have had external or internal wall insulation fitted through either scheme we have inherited.
“That is why we are taking action to put this right, forcing installers to fix any poor-quality installations as soon as possible and at their own expense.
“Affected households should look out for a letter from Ofgem, which will set out steps to resolve any issues.
“It is clear the existing system of protections for consumers we inherited is in dire need of reform. This will be front and centre of our Warm Homes Plan, as we work to make sure no households are let down in this way again.”
ECO4 and GBIS have remained in place under the current Government, alongside their new Warm Homes Grant, in an effort to make homes across the UK as energy efficient as possible, offering funding for insulation, draft-proofing, windows, storm doors, lower carbon heating, and solar panels.
The grant is intended to extend support to the poorest families in the country.
