Member Article

More must be done to support Green Deal

The Construction Products Association has expressed its support for the Government’s Green Deal, but is now encouraging them to address key issues relating to the plans or risk failure.

Affairs Director at the Association John Tebbit believes that the Green Deal could be a real “game changer”, as long as the government accepts that it is a long term solution rather than a quick fix opportunity.

He commented: “It is essential that the Green Deal allows new companies and organisations into the market, such as distributors, builders, manufacturers and installers.

“This will avoid any one part of the supply chain enjoying a dominant position in energy efficiency work; it will bring greater competition and encourage diversity.”

He also called for the implementation of regulation to ensure product and installation quality, and processes to ensure that products already accredited by Britain and Europe must not face additional testing or registration costs.

Targets fiscal incentives would need to be brought in, and Mr Tebbit believes that a reduction in VAT to 5%, both on Green Deal work and Green Deal equivalent energy efficiency work is vital to send the right signals to the consumer.

“The Association welcomes the proposal for a cash back scheme for homeowners, based on the degree of improvement as measured by EPCs.” He continued. “However, in the longer term the government should base the level of stamp duty for the purchase of homes both on price and EPC rating.”

Such a system is already used with company car tax where both price and CO2 emissions set the taxable benefits and this has radically changed company car choice over a number of years and the Construction Products Association believes that such a dual price and environmental performance based system, could not have the same impact on home purchases, albeit over a longer period of time.

Finally they believe that there must be further work carried out on a transition process between the existing CERT scheme and ECO.

“As things stand, there will be a catastrophic collapse in cavity wall and loft insulation work at the end of this year when the CERT scheme finishes.

“It is essential that the new ECO arrangements provide for a short period of continued support for cavity wall and loft insulation, whilst the Green Deal becomes established.” He concluded.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .