Renewable Grants for households: farce continues as grants are curbed
08 May 2007
The Department for Trade and Industry has today re-launched the Low Carbon Buildings programme, with an 80 per cent cut on the amount of funds available per household.
The programme had been suspended after the Chancellor increased funding for it in his recent budget, to allow the DTI to better assess how to run it.
Although the Chancellor increased funding by 50% to almost £19m in his recent budget, the DTI now intends to cut the maximum grant offered to householders from £15,000 to £2,500.
Green Party Principal Speaker Siân Berry commented: "We're talking about distributing a tiny amount of money even more thinly. In a year, this "flagship" programme has delivered 2175 installations on homes.
"Meanwhile the solar and wind installers themselves don't know if they are coming or going. One minute the grants stop, then start, and now the grants change from being quite large to very small.
"If I was running a business fitting solar panels I'd seriously think about giving up. It's only the commitment of these people to their desire to make the UK a greener place that keep most of them going. They deserve better than this.
"Why can't the government just put its money where its mouth is and support this industry properly?"
ENDS
Notes for Editors
For further information on the Low Carbon Buildings Fund, please see: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/about/
