Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are introducing to improve accountability, transparency and consumer protection in publicly funded energy efficiency schemes, in the light of the National Audit Office report Energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation, published on 14 October (HC 1334).

The Government has taken decisive action to protect consumers, including:

• Greater oversight of TrustMark’s operations through a Memorandum of Understanding and the appointment of a Departmental board observer,
• PAS 2035/2030:2023 introduced requirements for Retrofit Coordinators to conduct site visits and raised qualifications standards for Retrofit Designers,
• Certification bodies agreed installers should hold one PAS 2030 certification per measure, improving accountability,
• Continued PAS 2035/2030 standards sponsorship, with the British Standards Institution reviewing further improvements.

The Department will also be offering an on-site audit to all households that received external wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS. Where issues are found, remediation will be at no cost to the consumer, with installers responsible for repairs.

The Department is conducting a comprehensive overhaul of the consumer protection system, with reforms to be outlined in the Warm Homes Plan.