Government scales back incentive scheme as applications flood in

useful

Source:

The government has scaled back its Green Deal incentive scheme after it received applications for the first 拢50m of funding from the 拢120m scheme within just six weeks.

Figures release by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) showed that 7,925 cashback vouchers totalling 拢43.5m had been issued from the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund in the six weeks to 21 July, with a further 4,295 voucher applications received.

The rise in demand is a boost for the Green Deal, which has struggled to attract customers since it launched at the beginning of 2013.

In response to the demand the government said it would lower the amount of cashback homeowners could get for installing solid wall insulation, the most expensive measure supported by the scheme, from 拢6,000 to 拢4,000.

DECC said the change would take effect on Friday (25 July).

It also said flue gas heat recovery units would no longer be eligible for cash back under the scheme from 5 August.

Climate change minister Amber Rudd said the vouchers had 鈥渂een flying out of the door鈥.

She added: 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted that so many families are already making the most of this very generous offer.

鈥淐hanges announced today ensure even more households can benefit from warmer homes using less energy.

鈥淭here鈥檚 up to 拢120m in the pot this year, but it won鈥檛 be around forever so act now.鈥