Government urges tradespeople to sign up for green homes grant scheme
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has urged tradespeople across England to apply for accreditation to offer home improvement services under the government’s new £2bn green homes grant scheme.
Under the initiative, which starts in September, the government will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements up to £10,000. This is to make over 60,000 homes across the country more energy efficient while supporting over 100,000 jobs, the government claimed.
The scheme will cover a range of green home improvements, including: insulation of walls, floors and roofs; fitting low-carbon heating; and the installation of double or triple glazing.
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“The green homes grant scheme will not only cut emissions and make a serious dent in people’s energy bills, but will create new work for many thousands of talented builders, plumbers and other tradespeople right across the UK,” Sharma said.
“Today I’m urging businesses to sign up and get TrustMark accredited so they can crack on and offer their services to households across the country when the scheme opens.”
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To take part and offer their services through the scheme, all tradespeople must register with TrustMark, with accreditation taking as little as five working days for those who have a membership of a recognised trade body such as the Federation of Master Builders, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency and Building Engineering Services Association, or who are already certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
“The £2bn green homes grant scheme is the best kickstart we could have hoped for, 24 million homes require improvements to enable us to meet the government’s 2050 net zero carbon target,” said Simon Ayers, chief executive of TrustMark.
“As we undertake this journey, the construction and energy industries will play a vital role in the delivery of low carbon homes, providing healthier and more comfortable living conditions.
“TrustMark is working hard with their scheme providers to increase the numbers of TrustMark registered businesses so we can meet the demand of the green homes grant scheme. Businesses can join and select a scheme provider that can support their application.”
Last month landlords were urged to prepare their applications for the scheme as a property must already have a minimum energy performance rating of E for a landlord to rent it out.
Tax advisers at Blick Rothenberg predicted a surge of applications from landlords once the grants were launched.
