Open letter to Prime Minister over changes to energy efficiency schemes

At the rate proposed in your consultation, it will take 300 years to get these homes to a decent state of energy efficiency. In the meantime, the lack of SWI means that these eight million properties are emitting 6m tonnes of unnecessary carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.

A report published by the Institute for Public Policy Research demonstrates the substantial benefits of SWI to the UK. With the right support framework, for every £1 invested in the installation of SWI, the Exchequer will recover 50pc to 100pc or more in the same year, proving that Government investment in SWI makes economic sense.

The report also demonstrates that the positive impacts through employment, health and social benefits for residents present a compelling case for continued and strengthened investment in SWI rather than cutbacks.

The SWI industry fully understands the economic and political pressures that necessitated a cut in "green levies".

However, the response of the recognised trade association for SWI, the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (Inca), to your consultation presents very strong evidence that actual savings to the 'big six' go far beyond the £35 you have persuaded them to give back to customers , representing a £1bn-2bn windfall to energy suppliers over the next three years.

We therefore urge you to reconsider this dramatically reduced target for SWI. The windfall saving that energy companies have enjoyed means that a doubling of the SWI minimum in ECO to 200,000 installations over the next three years can be achieved without incremental cost to consumers.

Combined with effective targeting of the new Green Deal incentives at solid walled properties, this would go a long way to restore the balance, and demonstrate that this Government cares about the eight million families left stranded in cold, leaky properties by successive Governments in the past.

Yours sincerely,

Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA)

The recognised trade association for the external wall insulation (EWI) industry

Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE)

The not for profit, national centre of excellence for green building retrofit

National Energy Foundation

The independent charity dedicated to improving the use of energy in buildings

Sustainable Homes

The leading training and advisory consultancy operating in the field of sustainable housing

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