Green Deal

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Lots more to come on the Green Deal! Greg Barker took part in a live web broadcast Q and A session yesterday, a good reed to get the flavour of what it is all about. Further info here.

 

d10:05
  DECC Team: Good morning. Greg Barker will be here at 1130, but in the meantime if you would like to send questions in advance, please do so via the text box below.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 10:05 DECC Team

11:31
  DECC Team: Hi everyone. Greg is running 5 minutes late, but we should be starting at 1135 and will finish slightly later to accommodate as many questions as possible.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:31 DECC Team

 

11:34
  Greg Barker: Hello everybody. Lots of good questions flooding in. Let’s get cracking.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:34 Greg Barker

11:35
  [Comment From Simon Pickstone Simon Pickstone : ] I would like to ask the Minister, why, after having been ‘launched’ over 6 weeks ago, are participating companies and householders still unable to undertake energy assessments (the pre-requisite for securing Green Deal Loans)? Surely this should have been sorted out months ago?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:35 Simon Pickstone

 

11:39
  Greg Barker: 
Lets be clear. The Green Deal wasnt “launched” six weeks ago.The frame work went live on October 1st to allow companies to begin getting registered as Green Deal Assessors, the real “launch” as such will be 28 January when the first consumer finance plans can go live.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:39 Greg Barker

11:40
  Greg Barker: However as more Assessors gain creditation and Green Dealm Providers begin marketing their services we
expect the number of Assessments to rise.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:40 Greg Barker

 

11:41
  [Comment From Sarah E-T Sarah E-T : ] 1. Do we have any firm ideas of the GD interest rate yet? 2. Do we know how many providers & assessors have registered yet? 3. Are there any targets for the end of the first month? 4. Sky News indicated this weekend that there had been no uptake on the cashback scheme. Do you have any comments on this?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:41 Sarah E-T

11:44
  Greg Barker: 
Hi Sarah, the interest rate is really important but it is not the only driver nof good value. We are working to deliver the lowest interest rate possible, much lower than typical consumer credit, and are working closely with the Green Investment Bank; but the actual rate will partly depend on the market.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:44 Greg Barker

 

11:44  Adam Vaughan@adamvaughan_uk

 

#GBGDchat What recourse, if any, will a GD householder have if their GD charges are higher than they energy bill savings?

Monday November 19, 2012 11:44 adamvaughan_uk

11:49
  Greg Barker: Hello Adam

There will be very strong consumer protection to guard against mis-selling, including a new Green Deal Ombudsman. Obviously, the golden rule cant be a guard against a change in behaviour or life style but the products sold must deliver their technical potential and the savings estimates for all Green Deal measures have actually been revised down further, so are on the very conservative side, to err on the side of caution.

So i hope most people will be very pleasantly surprised by the savings they make, even after the finance charges are taken into account!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:49 Greg Barker

 

11:49
  [Comment From David Lamb David Lamb : ] When will GD Finance be available?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:49 David Lamb

11:50
  Greg Barker: Hello David

That is an easy one. 28 January!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:50 Greg Barker

 

11:50
  [Comment From David Craig David Craig : ] How long is the Green Deal likely to last? Would a change in government affect it?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:50 David Craig

11:52
  Greg Barker: Hi David,

Good question.

This is a transformational new market for Energy Efficiency. We reckon that the huge challenge of retrofit plus the exciting growth of new cost effective measures and technologies means that the market will run at scale to at least 2030

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:52 Greg Barker

 

11:52
  [Comment From Keith C Keith C : ] What will cause householders or tenants to take up the Green Deal when there is no direct financial benefit to them?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:52 Keith C

11:56
  Greg Barker: Hi Keith, well there will be a direct financial benefit for the first GreenDeal Customers, which is why people should get in early.

The GreenDeal Cash back, recently announced by George nOsborne, could mean up to £1,000 cash for taking up a variety of Green Deal measures, on toop of the the very real annual savings we expect every Green Deal customer to benefit from.

But it is noit just about cash, it is about home improvements too, increasing the value and comfort level of your home. Dont under-estimate the power of aspiration!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:56 Greg Barker

 

11:56
  [Comment From Chris Dawson Chris Dawson : ] I have not read or heard much in the Press etc about the Green Deal, what plans are there to communicate this initiative to the public?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:56 Chris Dawson

11:56
  Greg Barker: Sorry for my typing folks! it is a trade off btwn speed and typos!!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:56 Greg Barker

 

11:58
  Greg Barker: 
For Chris’s question, we have a major PR plan for 2013 but the biggest push will come from the diverse range of Green Deal providerts themselves.Thisw is not some Soviet style statist plan, it is an exciting new market with lots of different players!!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 11:58 Greg Barker

11:58  Jessica Shankleman@JessicaBG

 

#GBGDchat When do you expect Green Deal to take off in earnest? Will there be an influx of demand on 28 Jan? Or will it be a slow burner?

Monday November 19, 2012 11:58 JessicaBG

 

12:00
  Greg Barker: This is a two decade project, We want steady growth through 2013 as the market gains confidence, systes are tested and new entrants gain confidence to roll out their models at scale.

Yes we want a very positive launch but we dont want hype!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:00 Greg Barker

12:00  Gareth Clarke@gareth30

 

#GBGDchat Q: do you have a total number of qualified GD assessors and GDAS / GDAO’s to date and how many you would considered are needed?

Monday November 19, 2012 12:00 gareth30

 

12:04
  Greg Barker: Hi Gareth

New Assessors are just starting to come through now, we have paid for training for the first 1000 assessors and 1000 installers, The first 247 installers have now been accredited but many, many more in the pipe line.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:04 Greg Barker

12:04
  [Comment From Lisa Lisa : ] Is there any guidance or regulation regarding this cost of a Green Deal Assessment and Report?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:04 Lisa

 

12:06
  Greg Barker: 
This is clearly very important and we are going to be watching this very carefully but until the scheme really gets going, we wont have a good feel as it is for the market to set the most competitive rates.Any charges though will have to be declared upfront, and many GreenDeal providers are indicating they may offer them for free.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:06 Greg Barker

12:07
  [Comment From Matthew Binks Matthew Binks : ] Whom would be the first point of contact for a consumer wanting to take up the GD

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:07 Matthew Binks

 

12:09
  Greg Barker: You cant go wrong with a call to our new Energy Saving Advice Service.

0300 123 1234

I have been there myself (even took a couple of calls!) but was really impressed with the breadth of knowledge and expertise of the advisers on the end of the phone.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:09 Greg Barker

12:09
  DECC Team: We’re getting hundreds of questions through, so please bear with us. To make it easier to follow, we are only publishing the questions that Greg answers.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:09 DECC Team

 

12:09
  [Comment From Teresa Gizzi Teresa Gizzi : ] How many companies have registered as Green Deal providers so far?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:09 Teresa Gizzi

12:11
  Greg Barker: Hi Teresa, Only just starting to clear the process which iopened on October 1st but there are 12 companies through now with many, many more in the pipeline, expected through before Christ,mas.

We published new GD Provider guidance on the DECC Website today, so do have a look at that too

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:11 Greg Barker

 

12:14
  Greg Barker: Lots of people asking me about the Green Deal Assessor Software, including on Twitter over the weekend.

It is being vaildated by the BRE as we speak and we are pressing them for this asap, as we know that a lot of you need it soon as possible, We should have it by the end of the month if not sooner

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:14 Greg Barker

12:14
  [Comment From georgina georgina : ] Would a village hall be able to take advantage of the Green deal initiative?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:14 georgina

 

12:16
  Greg Barker: Hi Georgina,

Absolutely! nthough it may need help with the forms!

Seriously community projects are a key part of my visioin for an ambitious GreenDeal roll out and hope that many groups who took advantage of our LEAF funding will be at the the frointy of the queue for GreenDeal finance for their community buildings

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:16 Greg Barker

12:16
  [Comment From Paul Chapman Paul Chapman : ] How will the industry be regulated to ensure consumers are not over charged for equipment, installation and interest rates? Is it down to the individual providers to set there own prices?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:16 Paul Chapman

 

12:18
  Greg Barker: 
Hi Paul, we have created a dedicated Oversight and Registration Body to govern and police the GreenDeal. But individual companies and providers will set their own prices and offers. Lots of healthy competition for the consumers business will be key to the market.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:18 Greg Barker

12:19
  [Comment From paul o reilly paul o reilly : ] when does the Non_domestic green deal become available?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:19 paul o reilly

 

12:21
  Greg Barker: Hello Paul,

Non Domestic Green Deal for businesses, will spring to life on 28 January too, But this is a more complex market so we expect it to develop over the year.

However I am really excited about thelong term potential for the Green Deal for Business to help overhaul our inefficient commercial, retail and industrial buildings

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:21 Greg Barker

12:21
  [Comment From Jay SIngh Jay SIngh : ] As mentioned in one of your previous answers “we have paid for training for the first 1000 assessors and 1000 installers”. Who do we contact to get the benefit of this paid training?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:21 Jay SIngh

 

12:24
  Greg Barker: Hi Jay

Fotr details of the Assessor Training please contact WWW.AssetSkills.org

For Installer Training for solid wall installers please contact www.cskills.org

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:24 Greg Barker

12:24
  [Comment From Sam Sam : ] Hi Greg, Is it possible for a GD provider, assessor and installer to operate under one business entity?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:24 Sam

 

12:28
  Greg Barker: 
Hey Sam, Yes is the answer, it can be all under the same roof but lots of different providers will offer a variety of services, some in conjunction or in partnerships with other groups or companies.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:28 Greg Barker

12:29  Greg Barker@GregBarkerMP

 

Am typing as fast as I can! Still another 20 minutes to go. #GBGDchat #GreenDeal pic.twitter.com/BbmbfPuF

Monday November 19, 2012 12:29 GregBarkerMP

 

12:30
  Greg Barker: Lots of people asking about ECO, our new measure focussed on the fuel poor and hard to treat homes

Energy Compnies can already start delivering against their ECO targets already but we want to open the market up further and will be consulting shortly on the ECO Brokerage

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:30 Greg Barker

12:32
  Greg Barker: 
Sunday Times suggested yesterday that ECO could add £50 to consumer bills, Massively wide of the mark, we dont expect any additional cost on bills as it replaces existing schemes almost pound for pound but should deliver even more through greater competition and efficiency

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:32 Greg Barker

 

12:32
  [Comment From Ally Ally : ] Will rural/hard to treat places (western isles for example) be able to take advantage of the GD?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:32 Ally

12:35  Arnold Laver@ArnoldLaver

 

RT @FeeHorne: #GBGDchat How will Govt ensure smaller builders/plumbers & builders merchants not squeezed out by big retailers & energy cos?

Monday November 19, 2012 12:35 ArnoldLaver

 

12:35
  Greg Barker: Hi Ally, this is really important, Yes is the answer!

Unlike CERT I specifically designed ECO to have a ring fenced pot of subsidy for rural areras and we also expect ALL Local Authorities to have a plan to offer Green Deal to their residents in every part of the country and expect the private sector to work closely with them.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:35 Greg Barker

12:35
  Greg Barker: Sorry! that Question popped up before I had answered the last one

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:35 Greg Barker

 

12:38
  Greg Barker: Hello Arnold,

SME’s are key to delivering the nGreen Deal. They are by far the most trusted compoanies that people want to work in their home, especially for the bigger jobs when they are going to e left alone in the peoperty to get on with it.

There are several different ways in which SMEs can particiapate but i think becoming a trusted partner of the Local Authority will be a big advantage.,

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:38 Greg Barker

12:38
  [Comment From Richard Adams Richard Adams : ] Why would property owners want to use GD finance when there are cheaper options available to them?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:38 Richard Adams

 

12:41
  Greg Barker: Hi Richard, I am all for choice! If someone has a better route to improving their home they should take it!

But dont forget all the additrional protections and safeguards that come with the GreenDeal.

Upfront costs remain the biggest barrier to most people taking on a major retrofit, Green Deal is about way more than just a bit of lagging, so this should be fantastic for millions of people.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:41 Greg Barker

12:42
  Greg Barker: We are coming towards the close of this but you can always try and tweet me on @Gregbarkermp later or look at the DECC Website but lets take one more!!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:42 Greg Barker

 

12:42
  DECC Team: We’re running out of time, but Greg is going to take one more question.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:42 DECC Team

12:42
  [Comment From Helen Helen : ] You mentioned that energy suppliers can already start delivering on their ECO targets, but without the necessary guidance from OFGEM to ensure compliance, the reality is that this is not happening yet. Do you know when we can expect this from OFGEM?

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:42 Helen

 

12:44
  Greg Barker: 
Hi HelenThe ECO guidance is due very shortly but OFGEM actually wrote directly to the Big Six last week spelling out the principles of how the ECO will work and you can view it on their website now.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:44 Greg Barker

12:45
  Greg Barker: 
Thanks everyone for joining in, we had a record number of peopole viewing. Sorry if i didnt get to answer your question this time but lets do this again!

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:45 Greg Barker

 

12:45
  DECC Team: Ok that’s it. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions and watched the event. We will take a look at all the unanswered questions and will follow up on any outstanding points as soon as possible.

 

Monday November 19, 2012 12:45 DECC Team

12:46
    

 

 

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