The petition of residents of Glasgow North East,
Declares that the Government backed Green Deal Scheme has affected petitioners as we have suffered a detriment to both our finances, our private and family lives; further that many vulnerable residents have invested their life savings in good faith, and others have accrued up to £17,000 debt to pay for the work that was carried out; and further that in many cases the installer did not apply for building warrants and as a result we are unable to sell our properties or have the assurance that they are safe to live in, or can be insured.
The petitioners therefore urge the House of Commons to ensure that the Government will compensate and protect people who have found themselves suffering a detriment because of this Government backed Scheme, and take steps to ensure that this cannot happen in the future.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr Paul Sweeney , Official Report, 23 July 2018; Vol. 645, c. 834.]
[P002231]
Observations from the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth (Claire Perry):
The Government recognise that consumers should be able to obtain appropriate redress where a detriment has been suffered under the Green Deal. A specific process for handling complaints exists under the scheme, established in legislation under the Green Deal Framework (Disclosure, Acknowledgment, Redress etc.) Regulations 2012. This starts with a complaint by the consumer to their Green Deal Provider, the company responsible for the work. If not resolved satisfactorily, the consumer may then approach the Green Deal Ombudsman or the Financial Ombudsman Service, depending on the nature of the complaint. Their decisions will be binding on the Green Deal Provider.
If, after progressing through those channels, or if the Provider is in liquidation, the consumer is still not satisfied, they may refer their complaint to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for consideration. If the Secretary of State is satisfied that there has been a breach of the applicable regulations, they may impose the sanction of reduction or cancellation of the Green Deal loan. This represents the full extent of the Secretary of State’s power to require redress is provided to consumers in relation to the Green Deal.
The Government are currently reviewing the Green Deal. This began with the publication last Autumn of a Call for Evidence on the Green Deal Framework. A summary of responses received was published in July (both publications are available
At: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/call-for-evidence-on-the-reform-of-the-green-deal-framework). The Government will publish a consultation at a later date on proposals to reform the Green Deal. In developing proposals, the Government will learn from the experience from delivery of the Green Deal to date and will ensure that the interests of consumers remain foremost.