National Insulation Association (NIA) has called on the government to extend the £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme.
The body notes the short lifespan of the initiative may not help the government achieve its target of 600,000 homes that would benefit from the scheme.
In a letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, NIA said the three-month validity of individual vouchers and the scheme’s end date, which is 31st March 2021, could limit the real potential of the programme.
It adds four and a half months is not enough time for the industry to respond to the thousands of customer inquiries and deliver insulation and low carbon measures.
Derek Horrocks, Chair of the National Insulation Association said: “However, we must now address the concerns being echoed across the sector. Four and a half months from the point at which the first vouchers will be issued is not enough time to deliver on the Government’s aspirations for energy efficiency and job creation.
“We are heading into winter, a time of year which already creates weather challenges for many green home improvements. On top of this, the nation and the workforce are still grappling with the impacts of a pandemic.”
A BEIS spokesperson said: “The Green Homes Grant scheme is time-limited to give the economy an immediate boost by supporting tens of thousands of jobs to make over 600,000 homes warmer and cheaper to heat.
“The potential funding for future years will be determined in due course.”
The first vouchers are expected to be issued at the start of November, with all work to be completed by the end of March 2021.
