THE “shiny stamp” of UK Government accreditation has seen families’ energy bills treble in a solar panel mis-selling scam, an MP claims.
Calling for ministers to aid victims of a massive fraud, the SNP’s Gavin Newlands said 3000 Scots had suffered at the hands of “dodgy” traders who were given official accreditation under the Green Deal.
It was introduced by Westminster in 2013 to encourage energy efficiency in the UK’s homes and cut fuel poverty.
But thousands have been left out of pocket, with many tied to expensive 25-year finance deals or left with properties that fail building regulations as a result of contracts with Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS).
Fined £200,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office for its sales tactics, it paid just a fraction of this before going into liquidation.
Newlands says his Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, which has the highest level of HELMS installations in Scotland, contains “horror stories” about high-pressure and misleading techniques.
In a Westminster Hall debate, he said one household had seen energy bills treble to £265 per month, stating: “Elements of this scam were so badly designed with ineffective regulation that for many it has become a nightmare.”
Angela Crawley, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Green Deal Mis-selling, said customers who had paid HELMS to upgrade their wall insulation had been left unable to sell or insure their homes after the company failed to apply for the permissions needed.
And Philippa Whitford said constituents in Central Ayrshire – some in their 80s – should never have been sold 25-year finance deals.
Calling for compensation, Newlands said: “This was a UK Government initiative and was sold as such. HELMS was the leading accredited provider of these Green Deal services. How can the government now ignore the pain caused by HELMS?
“What is the point in UK Government accreditation if the UK Government are nowhere to be seen when fraud and violations occur?
“Who is responsible for cleaning up this mess?”
Kelly Tolhurst, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, said most Green Deal projects had “run smoothly” and confirmed almost all – 3070 of 4580 – HELMS plans involved Scottish properties.
She went on: “Together we have a shared wish to see proper redress for consumers who have been mis-sold Green Deal plans. This government is committed to making sure that rogue directors, rogue traders are investigated in the protection of consumers.”
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