£3bn green home grants scheme faltering just weeks after launch

Accreditation process putting off builders and installers from plan to improve energy efficiency of homes in England

The government’s plan to insulate England’s draughty homes is faltering because builders and installers are failing to sign up, leaving thousands of households unable to access the £3bn green home grants.

Offering up to £5,000 – or £10,000 for those on low incomes – for energy efficiency measures such as insulation and heat pumps, the scheme is intended to help people save on gas and electricity bills and cut carbon emissions, as well as creating thousands of green jobs. It was unveiled in July as part of an economic rescue package for the coronavirus pandemic.