MORE than 800 jobs in the UK’s insulation industry have been lost because the Westminster government has delayed the start of its Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding schemes, a trade body will claim today.
The Insulation Industry Forum (IIF) warns that a further 1,200 staff have been given notice that they will be made redundant in the new year.
With the current subsidy schemes due to end on Monday, insulation installation companies have already seen work for more than 34,000 homes cancelled due to lack of funding.
Although the Green Deal is scheduled to start on 28 January, the IIF claims that the funding for the scheme will not start to become available until the middle of next year.
IFF spokesman John Sinfield said: “UK government policy is directly leading to massive job losses in the industry. So far, 60 companies will be making redundancies, with many handing out their P45s over Christmas.
“The delays, and the failure to put in place a sensible transition plan, will seriously damage the industry. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Tragically we can expect thousands more jobs to go in the New Year, as the UK government continues its policy of dither and delay.
“Until the UK government realises the extent of the problem, and takes steps towards addressing it, the effects will continue to be felt by the entire industry.”
Chris Huhne unveiled the Green Deal in November 2011 while he was energy secretary.
The scheme is designed to give homeowners access to finance to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes, through measures such as installing insulation. Ministers have branded it as the biggest push on home improvements since the Second World War.