Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Today, the UK Government announced the action it is taking in response to poor quality workmanship by companies installing solid wall insulation. This relates to two programmes inherited by the new UK Government, the Energy Company Obligations 4 (ECO4) scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), which operate across Great Britain.
I would like to thank the UK Minister for Energy Consumers for contacting me about this issue and taking immediate action to suspend installers and protect consumers. I met with the Minister on 22 January, and we discussed the process she is leading to put right the issues Trustmark has identified. I have received assurances from the UK Government that any works to correct deficiencies will be carried out swiftly and effectively, at the installers’ cost. My officials will receive regular updates from their counterparts in the UK Government and I will be kept informed of progress.
These schemes are separate to the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Nest Scheme. Nest includes an independent quality assurance service. Experts check the quality of scheme designs and visit installers to inspect their work. This includes checks on exterior and interior wall insulation projects. Any issues identified are corrected immediately, before the installer is paid for the work. In terms of our social housing retrofits, expert personnel and rigorous processes within our partner organisations significantly reduces the risk of poor workmanship by contractors.
Finally, I know this news will be concerning to households in Wales who have received solid wall insulation under the ECO4 or GBIS schemes. Having discussed with the UK Minister, I have confidence in the steps being taken to put things right. Households affected by this will receive a letter from Ofgem, which will outline steps to resolve any issues.