New Green Homes Grant to give up to £5,000 in vouchers for insulation and double-glazing

Zanderman

Another day, another news story, and it's not looking good:  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/10/hundreds-of-millions-in-green-grants-for-english-homes-pulled-despite-delays

ArmsINIT

Zanderman said:

Another day, another news story, and it's not looking good:  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/10/hundreds-of-millions-in-green-grants-for-english-homes-pulled-despite-delays

I can't believe I am still surpised at how inept this givernment is.

Zanderman

I've only just become aware (haven't searched the thread, so sorry if already in here somewhere) that some Local Authorities also have 'Green Homes Grants' in a parallel version of this scheme.  LAs had to bid for cash last summer/autumn and can undertake similar work as the main scheme.  But only for low income properties with an EPC of E or below.   

It's called the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.  And (edited to add) this is England only.

Might be of interest to some people - but only applies to the circumstances above and only if your LA signed up.   And some LAs will not do the full range of works - the details I've seen for one are only Air Source Heat Pump and External Wall insulation.

A list of participating authorities is on this site:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-homes-grant-local-authority-delivery-successful-local-authorities

Worth also saying that there are rules on cross-funding -  so you can't have GHG funding via the LA and GHG Vouchers via your own application.  Only one or the other.

Cb_man1

MSE NEWS. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2021/02/green-homes-grant-voucher-funding-cut/

helgawb

For those still waiting for vouchers.....consider using the chat function........
here https://green-homes-grant.service.gov.uk/contact on right under 'Want to speak to a Consultant' is a 'webchat' link
........to try and push your application....you get straight through to an agent instead of waiting for a reply to emails....I was told my application is in the final stage waiting for final 'verification checks'. Anybody's guess what these are.........but the agent did say "I have also sent a notification to the processing team, so this will push for anything pending to be picked up by them on your applciation". Might save some time.......

Zanderman

helgawb said:

For those still waiting for vouchers.....consider using the chat function........
here https://green-homes-grant.service.gov.uk/contact on right under 'Want to speak to a Consultant' is a 'webchat' link
........to try and push your application....you get straight through to an agent instead of waiting for a reply to emails....I was told my application is in the final stage waiting for final 'verification checks'. Anybody's guess what these are.........but the agent did say "I have also sent a notification to the processing team, so this will push for anything pending to be picked up by them on your applciation". Might save some time.......

I was told similar in a phone conversation earlier today - the agent will 'send a push to the audit team' who will then 'check if any further info is needed'. 
They've had extra info several times - none of which, really, they needed as it merely confirmed what they'd already been told. 
They seem to pick on trivia, put the application on hold, wait a while, then (if you're lucky) contact you to check on the trivia, be reassured, tell you it's back on track, then go through the whole process a few weeks later with more trivia. 
I'm getting weary of this ridiculous set-up - but will persevere.  

tek-monkey

Used the web chat, they said if my quote expires I need to submit another to be looked over.  I asked what builder gives quotes valid for over 4 months?

Needless to say I got another pointless promise, as always with this government it's all mouth and no trousers.

Zanderman

According to the MSE News story on this:

A BEIS spokesperson added: “The Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme was designed to provide a short-term economic stimulus while tackling our contribution to climate change. However, the prevalence of Covid-19 since the scheme’s launch in September last year has led to an understandable reluctance on the part of the public to welcome tradespeople into their homes."

In other words the  Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy is saying that, er, there hasn't been enough take-up.

But they've been utterly incompetent at progressing the applications that they've had.  Which, on their current rate of progress would take 10 years to process:

The Environmental Audit Committee chairman, Philip Dunne MP, said earlier this week: “The principle of the Green Homes Grant should be commended... But unless overhauled and further extended, this scheme will fail to deliver its ambition. Issuing vouchers is continuing at snail’s pace, with only 20,000 of the 600,000 target issued four months in – at this rate it will take over 10 years to fulfil the Government’s expectation." 

If that's the case how on earth would BEIS have coped if the uptake had been as expected? 

They can't cope with a few but they stopped (well, reduced) it because they weren't enough? 

What planet is BEIS on?  Do they think we're idiots?  Or is simply that they are?

JohnnyFish

Anyone else get this email today?

Dear Customer, We are emailing you about the evaluation of the Green Homes Grant (GHG) Vouchers Scheme. The evaluation is being conducted by independent researchers on behalf of The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This research will include surveys and telephone interviews with those who have applied to the GHG Vouchers Scheme. As you previously opted-in to be contacted for research purposes in connection with the GHG Vouchers Scheme, we wanted to let you know that you may be contacted in the upcoming months by our research partners for this purpose. Please be assured that your participation in any research is voluntary and not linked to the outcome of any application you have made to the GHG Vouchers Scheme.

Zanderman

JohnnyFish said:

Anyone else get this email today?

Dear Customer, We are emailing you about the evaluation of the Green Homes Grant (GHG) Vouchers Scheme. The evaluation is being conducted by independent researchers on behalf of The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This research will include surveys and telephone interviews with those who have applied to the GHG Vouchers Scheme. As you previously opted-in to be contacted for research purposes in connection with the GHG Vouchers Scheme, we wanted to let you know that you may be contacted in the upcoming months by our research partners for this purpose. Please be assured that your participation in any research is voluntary and not linked to the outcome of any application you have made to the GHG Vouchers Scheme.

Yes, got it and really hoping they'll be in touch! I've got a lot to tell them....