The Tories in opposition were very keen on their ‘Green Deal’ for making existing housing stock energy efficient. It formed the cornerstone of their pledge when the Coalition formed to be the ‘greenest government ever’. It had its big full launch today, with new loans available for homeowners to insulate their properties and pay back the money through their energy bills.
The only problem is that the Green Deal isn’t quite the big all-singing all-dancing deal the government envisaged. The idea was that big businesses would lead the way in providing the scheme, but one of the leading retailers who expressed initial interest in the scheme, Marks and Spencer, isn’t involved. Sources tell me that the retailer decided the government’s offer wasn’t worth its while, although the company’s official line is as follows:
‘We are not a green deal provider but are monitoring the scheme’s progress. Through our energy business, M&S Energy, we already offer home insulation and renewable energy solutions and we’re always looking at ways to develop the business.’
One of the big barriers for consumers is, unsurprisingly, the cost of the loans.
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