Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to improve consumer protection for applicants to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme; and what plans he has to review those steps.

Consumer protection lies at the heart of the design of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. One of the eligibility requirements of the scheme is certification of products and installation companies under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The MCS aims to deliver reliable and high performing installations and to provide a route for redress where there are consumer complaints.

Installation companies that are certified by the MCS scheme must also be a member of a Chartered Trading Standards Institute approved consumer code. This code sets out the standards that installers must meet in contracting with consumers.

In September 2015, DCLG and DECC commissioned Dr Peter Bonfield to undertake an independent review of consumer advice and protection, standards and enforcement in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. The review is due to report shortly.