Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent steps she has taken to review the performance of (a) the cavity wall insulation industry and (b) the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

The Government has commissioned an Independent Review, led by Peter Bonfield, to look at Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The scope of the Review will cover the performance of the cavity wall insulation industry and the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA).

DECC officials have met several times with representatives from CIGA to discuss issues relating to cavity wall insulation. These actions include CIGA publishing their first ever annual report, improving their consumer handling processes and publishing a league table of installer performances in regards to dealing with consumer complaints.

CIGA have also appointed a Consumer Champion with the remit to act as a focal point for consumer organisations and deal with consumer complaints. The Consumer Champion is currently conducting a review to gather stakeholder’s view of CIGA’s complaint handling processes.

The Bonfield Review team will work closely with the CIGA Consumer Champion over the period of the Review.