Yahoo Finance Double glazing firms hit out over Sunak's insulation plans
Double-glazing salesmen say Rishi Sunak’s green homes giveaway has backfired and put more than 10,000 jobs at risk.
The Green Homes Grant Scheme was announced earlier this month but will not come into force until September, landing a massive blow on the industry because potential buyers are holding off until it starts, bosses said.
Homeowners and landlords will be able to claim up to £5,000 for work to improve the energy efficiency of their property, with £10,000 grants available to those on low incomes.
But firms such as Duraflex, Eurocell and Deceuninck said holding back the launch had hit their sales by more than a quarter.
In a letter to the Chancellor, the firms said: “Large numbers of customers have cancelled existing orders … the Government’s announcement has imperilled the entire sector.”
The letter urges Mr Sunak to remove uncertainty by either leaving double-glazing out of the scheme or making it effective immediately.
Jon Vanstone, chairman of the Certass Trade Association, said 10,000 small traders “will be severely hit” by “unintended consequences” of the announcement.
