There's a little bit more information about the great Green Deal on DECC's web site. It sets out the three stage process that we've all been expecting:
1) Survey to identify best options
2) Finance made available
3) EE package delivered.
What is not clear to me is to what extent the availability of finance is linked to the most cost effective measures (e.g. to make sure insulation measures are installed ahead of generation measures). Nor is it clear just who the "accredited finance providers" will be and what conditions will be laid upon them and around the loans. Edie suggests local authorities - which has been the thinking all along - but in this "age of austerity" will they have the capital to make such provision? Measures will be installed by accredited suppliers. Of course, some accreditation schemes already exist - such as MCS. This hasn't had the best of press - being regarded as expensive and bureaucratic by some suppliers, especially smaller companies, and not necessarily being all that transparent to the customer. There are some lessons to be learned here if HMG is going to go down the "universal green kit mark" route. I guess this will be a case of the devil being in the detail.
Which brings me onto the timetable:
Next month - Bill introduced
Autumn 2011 - Royal assent
Early 2012 - Lay secondary legislation
Spring 2010 - Detailed guidance (whoopee!)
Autumn 2012 - First green deals.
So - don't hold your breath.
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