Under the Government’s flagship energy efficiency scheme, 1,754 Green Deal Plans were in progress at the end of February, compared to 1,721 at the end of January.

The figures are far lower than Government expectations – energy minister Greg Barker has previously said he expected up to 10,000 plans signed by the end of 2013.

Green Deal assessments increased to 163,096 by the end of February, up from 145,098 in January.

The slow uptake of the scheme has seen industry and environmental groups heavily criticise the Government for not taking more action to improve progress.

UK-GBC is renewing its call for Government to step in to provide greater incentives to encourage uptake.

According to the GBC, variable Stamp Duty would “nudge homeowners” into taking action at the point of sale, consequential improvements would require energy efficiency work to be undertaken in building extensions and robust minimum energy standards will help to drive installations in the private rented sector.

UK-GBC director of policy and communications John Alker, said: “This is by far the worst month on record for take-up of the Green Deal, with fewer new plans now than at the very beginning of the scheme.

“The scheme was always going to be something of a slow burner initially, but the number of new plans is reducing to a trickle.

“Government has already had its wake-up call, it is now crunch time. It needs to step in to reduce the cost of the finance plans, strengthen and make permanent tax incentives, and make energy efficiency a pre-requisite for anyone getting an extension this summer,” said Alker.

Leigh Stringer

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