Cavity Wall Insulation, Cavity wall Insulation (extraction), External Solid Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation (between and over joists), Loft Insulation (between/under/over rafters)
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Cavity Wall Insulation, Cavity wall insulation (extraction), External solid wall insulation, Loft insulation (between and over joists), Loft insulation (between/under/over rafters)
Chancellor must make the right decision next week!
Today’s article in the Guardian reads: “Members of the renewable energy industry have written to ministers calling for the green home grants to be maintained and enhanced as a key measure for reaching net-zero by 2050. They say it is incredibly popular with homeowners keen to reduce energy costs and contribute to tackling climate change.
The signatories, from 19 organisations representing or working within the energy efficiency and low-carbon heating sector, said premature closure of the grants would put jobs in jeopardy, dash the dreams of homeowners and put the UK’s net zero target at significant risk.
“Derek Horrocks, the chairman of the National Insulation Association, said: “Stable policy is needed to provide the industry with the confidence it needs to invest and adapt to the demands of the net zero transition. Inquiries for insulation and low-carbon heating have been extremely high, in spite of the current circumstances, and companies across the sector have responded and geared up the supply chain to meet demand.
“That’s why we would urge the chancellor not to curtail the green homes grant to ensure that our sector can lead the UK’s economic recovery and meet the government’s net zero ambitions.”
19 organisations representing or working within the energy efficiency and low carbon heating sector have written to Government Ministers, highlighting the importance of the continued and successful delivery of the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS).
Premature closure of the Green Homes Grant Scheme would put jobs in jeopardy, dash the dreams of homeowners and put the UK’s Net Zero target at significant risk
The Green Homes Grant was announced by the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak in July 2020 with the intention of kickstarting a green recovery, creating jobs and enabling homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The initiative has been met with high demand from homeowners and industry, and while initial teething problems due to administration challenges have been significant, it is promising to see these issues now being resolved.
The energy efficiency and low carbon heating sector is concerned by recent rumours that the scheme will come to an early close on March 31st 2021 and that the £320 million of the funding allocated for 2021/22 may be recalled. Such a decision could have significant financial implications for businesses who have invested in developing capacity to meet the demands of the scheme; it would also undermine the trust of homeowners who have applied for vouchers for home improvements yet to be delivered.
Derek Horrocks, Chairman of the National Insulation Association, said:
“Stable policy is needed to provide the industry with the confidence it needs to invest and adapt to the demands of the net-zero transition. Enquiries for insulation and low carbon heating have been extremely high, in spite of the current circumstances, and companies across the sector have responded and geared up the supply chain to meet demand.
“That’s why we would urge the Chancellor not to curtail the Green Homes Grant to ensure that our sector can lead the UK’s economic recovery and meet the government’s net zero ambitions.”
Signatories to the letter include:
The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), Heat Pump Association (HPA), The Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA), Insulated Assurance Authority (IAA), Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), National Insulation Association (NIA), Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL), Solar Energy UK, Sustainable Energy Association (SEA), Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (SWIGA), Caplor Energy, Interglow, Insta Group, Pacifica Group, Permarock, Saving Energy UK, Sustainable Building Services and Westville Group.
ENDS
EDITORS NOTES
National Insulation Association Media Enquiries:
Christina Thompson-Yates, PR and Content Manager
Telephone: 07394 560 984| Email christina.thompsonyates@ecuity.com
Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) Media Enquiries:
Jack Abbott, PR and Communications Manager
Telephone 07590 627739 | Email: jabbott@r-e-a.net
Solar Energy UK media enquiries:
Jack Dobson-Smith, Senior external affairs adviser
Telephone: 020 3637 2946 | Email jdobson@solarenergyuk.org
Notes to Editors:
- The letter was sent to Government Ministers on 23rd February 2021 and is hosted on the NIA website: https://www.nia-uk.org/media/1666/industry-letter-to-lord-callanan_final_version_230221.pdf
- The National Insulation Association (NIA) represents the insulation industry in the UK with a member base comprised of installers, system certificate holders, and manufacturers who provide a wide range of insulation solutions for homes and buildings. The NIA and its members are fully committed to maintaining and raising standards within the insulation industry.
Professional Indemnity Insurance is emerging as a serious barrier to the recovery of the UK construction industry as it bounces back from Covid-19
As a member of the Construction Leadership Council, the National Insulation Association is contributing to solving this important issue and would like to encourage all members who have been affected by the severe tightening of the PI insurance market to take part in a new survey, launched by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
The survey has been developed as part of the CLC’s plans to develop a robust evidence base, identifying the impact of the PI crisis and the areas where the industry is facing the most significant difficulties. It asks companies to provide confidential feedback on the costs and policy exclusions that they have experienced when renewing their cover.
The NIA sits on the Construction Leadership Council Professional Indemnity Group and would urge all members to participate.
The survey will be live until 12th March 2021. Industry-level details of the results will then be published by Construction Leadership Council and used to inform ongoing work to support the sector.
The poll is entirely confidential, but firms are asked to indicate their type of business to help target any future support on those areas of greatest need.
Construction Leadership Council Professional Indemnity Insurance Group lead Samantha Peat said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has dominated headlines for the last year, but there is a second crisis that has been quietly growing for businesses across our industry. “We are speaking to the UK Government and insurers to find ways to help businesses that could otherwise face an uncertain future due to the nature of their PI renewals. We want businesses from across the industry to give us their views – whether you are affected or not – to help us shape the way we prepare a response from the whole sector.”
You can read the full press release here.
The partnership will exclusively offer members 400 heavily subsidised places on their NVQ level 2 courses in Insulation and Building Treatments.
Exclusive to members of the National Insulation Association: on-site NVQ training, with 70% funded by the Green Homes Grant.
The National Insulation Association has formally partnered with Think Construction Skills to help members provide specialist training and expand their workforce of PAS2030 accredited installers. The training places are being offered exclusively to NIA members and their member-sponsored supply chains, with 70% of the fees funded by the Green Homes Grant. The remaining 30% will be provided by the learner or company for £330 + VAT.
Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
A total of 400 training places are available for Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) on-site assessment in Insulation and Building Treatments, specialising in the following areas:
- External Wall Insulation – Boarder
- External Wall Insulation – Finisher
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Cold Roof Insulation
- Warm Roof Insulation
- Draught-proofing
- Internal Insulation
- Insulated Framed Sections of Building
- Floor Insulation
Places for this funding are being offered by Think Construction Skills to members of the NIA and their supply chain, strengthening the NIA’s ambitions to create economic opportunities, new skills and employment opportunities across the insulation sector.
http://www.thinkconstructionskills.com/green-homes-grant-funding/
📞 01992 574082 📧 stephen@thinkconstructionskills.com
Think Construction
Think Construction Skills offer support and training in NVQ Qualifications across the UK.
Click here to visit their website
The Green Homes Grant Skills Competition
Think Construction Skills has been awarded funding under the Green Homes Grant (GHG) Skills Training Competition, launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to support tradespeople with the delivery of home energy efficiency improvements. This government initiative began on 4th January 2021 and will end in May 2021 and is available across England.
Chairman of the National Insulation Association, Derek Horrocks said:
“We are delighted to announce this groundbreaking partnership with Think Construction Skills, which will provide members of the NIA with exclusive access to well-needed support in upskilling their workforce at a substantially reduced cost – and at a time when they need it most.”
The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has written a letter to the construction sector restating the Government position, which is that firms and tradespeople in the construction sector and its supply chain should continue to operate during the national lockdown.
The letter was published on Monday 11th January following new national lockdown restrictions as of 4th January.
Read the letter in full here
Despite the unconventional start, 2021 has already been pinpointed as a year of climate action with the delayed COP26 summit due to take place this November and less than three decades to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Radical energy efficiency improvements are required across almost every property type in the UK and the NIA has a key role to play in ensuring that this is achieved in a manner that is high-quality, cost-effective and timely. We look forward to continuing to work with you across the next 12 months.
An update on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Regulatory Consultation
The NIA submitted its response to the PRS Regulatory consultation before Christmas and we would like to thank all of those who contributed. Your input is incredibly valuable and helps to ensure that the NIA’s response to consultations represents the views of members. The Government plans to publish its response to the consultation next spring (2021), and we can expect the amendments to the PRS regulations to be made in the autumn. The amendments will come into force on 1st April 2025.
The Prime Minister has announced his long-awaited Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, which is thought to be crucial in the lead up to the UK hosting COP26 next year. The Green Homes Grant Scheme has been extended by a year, to March 2022 representing an important for success for NIA and others who have repeatedly asked for an extension as delays have affected the start of the work under the scheme. We know that many members are experiencing frustration and significant challenges waiting for the issuing of vouchers and work from the NIA team continues to secure release as soon as possible.
NIA Chairman, Derek Horrocks commented:
“The Prime Minister’s 10 point plan rightly recognises the need to put buildings at the heart of a green recovery. We are delighted that the Green Homes Grant Scheme will be extended by 12 months reflecting the unprecedented interest and demand from consumers. Extension of the scheme will provide a welcome opportunity for NIA members and the wider industry to deliver measures that save energy over a lifetime, develop lasting capability and contribute towards net zero’’
