UK building construction news, British homes repairs, United Kingdom poor-quality solid wall insulation

UK Building Construction News

24 January 2025

Poor quality insulation triggers government action

A statement from the Policy Liaison Group on Future Homes:

24th of January 2025, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, announced that the government has taken immediate action following findings of widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

The government has suspended responsible installers, expanded checks on insulation under both schemes, and implemented a repair plan overseen by Ofgem. For more details, read the full government press release here: Action taken to protect households with poor-quality insulation.

Key Points from the Government’s Announcement:

1. Suspension of Installers: Thirty-nine businesses have been suspended from installing new insulation, pending compliance improvements.

2. No-Cost Repairs: Households affected by substandard installations will receive repairs from responsible installers at no additional cost.

3. Rigorous Checks: Enhanced checks were part of the routine review under the ECO4 and GBIS.

4. Consumer Protection: These measures are part of a broader initiative to reform consumer protections through the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan.

5. Future Commitment: The government remains committed to improving the quality of home improvements and the energy efficiency of future homes.

Nick Miles from EWI Pro, the Chairman of the PLG for Future Homes comments:

“As the Chairman of the Policy Liaison Group for Future Homes, I warmly welcome the government’s recent announcement regarding solid wall insulation standards. The decisive action to suspend responsible installers underscores our shared commitment to enhancing consumer protection and elevating building standards across the UK.”

“The PLG for Future Homes is eager to collaborate closely with the new Warm Homes Plan. We aim to ensure robust industry engagement, particularly with SMEs, from the design phase of this initiative. While addressing the deficiencies, it’s crucial to acknowledge the successful installations under the ECO4 and GBIS schemes, which have contributed significantly to energy efficiency and consumer satisfaction.”

“We commend Nigel Donogue of the IAAF for his leadership in expediting the redress necessary to continue these vital insulation efforts. Similarly, we acknowledge Rachel Cole of CT ECO and Paul Christmas from EWI Pro, along with his technical team, for their diligent efforts in resolving installation issues, liaising with certification bodies, and advocating for improved training programmes.”

“This collaborative approach not only enhances our industry standards but also ensures that we continue to provide essential services, especially crucial as household bills increase. By addressing these challenges collectively, we safeguard consumer interests and contribute to environmental sustainability.”

Policy Liaison Group for Future Homes – PLG

The Policy Liaison Group (PLG) for Future Homes is a Westminster-based forum bringing together experts, parliamentarians, government officials, public bodies, and innovative leaders to accelerate the decarbonisation of UK homes. The PLG convenes industry professionals at the cutting edge of sustainable home-building from across the supply chain, construction, and installation.

The PLG’s mission is to facilitate real-world discussions on optimising energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, improving building air quality, and promoting at-home energy solutions. The PLG aims to build cross-party consensus, supporting the development and delivery of effective policies for the construction sector.

UK Housing Construction Costs

PM To Curb Blocks On UK Infrastructure Projects

The British government has pledged that major infrastructure projects will be built faster under new planning rules.

Tom Barton, partner in the Planning team at Mishcon de Reya, said:
“Any reforms which will speed up the delivery of major projects are welcome. While the right to challenge is sacrosanct, it can certainly be argued that at present the law is tilted too far in favour of those wishing to stall development”.

New UK Housing

+++

New UK Housebuilding – United Kingdom Housing Archive for Winter to Spring 2024

UK Housebuilding News – Housing News in 2023

+++

Previously on e-architect: