Spend, Spend, Spend - Build, Build, Build
As June ended, the Prime Minister set out the first steps in the strategy to rebuild Britain using building as the fuel behind an economic recovery across...
Read Full ArticleRishi Sunak is to announce that home owners in England will each be given £5,000 vouchers to spend on windows, doors, insulation or any improvement that will increase the energy efficiency of their property.
The 'Green Homes Grant' is a package worth up to £3 billion as part of a commitment to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Net Zero 2050 Agreement and with a view to protecting in the home improvement sector following coronavirus.
The scheme will be open for applications in September and will be based on home owners identifying an energy saving project and applying for a voucher to cover the majority of the cost. Two-thirds will be covered by the grant. Poorer households may even be entitled to a greater amount - £10,000 - and may not have to make a contribution.
The Green Homes Grant was spoken about by Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, on the BBC Breakfast television programme of 7 Jul. The full announcement was due on 8 July from Chancellor Sunak in his Summer Statement.
Glass and Glazing Federation
When The Installer invited a comment from the GGF, we were told the Federation was aware a major announcement regarding energy efficiency was in the offing and confirmed 8 July as the expected date.
“This means lower bills for households, hundreds of pounds off energy bills every year, it's supporting jobs and is very good news for the environment.”
– Alok Sharma
MP, Business Secretary, Business Energy and Industrial Strategy
Double glazing is in
The GGF was concerned that glazing home improvements might not be included however it has been confirmed by Sharma that energy efficient windows and doors, double and triple glazing will be included in the new scheme.
On hearing news of the scheme, John Agnew, GGF Managing Director said: “Naturally the GGF welcomes any positive initiative that will boost our industry, the economy and help the environment. We will though have to wait and see the full detail of the scheme and then communicate the benefits to our members and homeowners.”
BoJo
At the end of June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared an intention for the UK to build itself back to economic stability and that £5 billion of capital expenditure would be brought forward with hospitals, schools and infrastructure at the head. Refurbishment of hospitals and schools would also focus on energy efficiency and again, glazing and doors projects are included. Money will also be freed up to be spent on upgrading the energy efficiency of social housing.
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Anyone for heat pumps?
Charities, which include E3G, CPRE, Friends of the Earth, We Are Possible, Greenpeace and Green Alliance, are calling for £2.3 billion a year to be invested in helping households to decarbonise their heating in addition to the investment needed for insulating homes.
The charities want a £100 million Clean Heat Grant programme for heat pumps, announced in the budget, to be brought forward to this year to exchange old fossil fuel-fired boilers for heat pumps.
Committee on Climate Change
The Committee on Climate Change said in their annual progress report last week that action to decarbonise homes should be the Government’s number one carbon cutting investment priority. Homes and other buildings are responsible for over a quarter (27%) of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions - more than from surface transport and industry.
Picture: Heat pumps - with thanks to the E3G group of charities.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
07th July 2020