Retrofit Measures – Reform To ECO & GBIS Is Needed

We wake this morning to find our news feeds talking about the “tens of thousands of homes that now need repairing after having solid wall insulation fitted under  ECO or GBIS schemes”.

This news follows the publication of an independent report from the National Audit Office, which was commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and an official written statement from Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers which landed on the 13th October.

The report indicates that some 92% of External Wall Insulation installations of those audited under these two schemes were found to have at least one major technical non-compliance. A major non-compliance indicates an issue that will compromise the effectiveness of the insulation rather than pose a direct risk to safety. We await further details as to the nature of these technical non-compliances. A much smaller percentage of around 6% of EWI installs were categorised as posing potential risks to health and safety.

What should be noted is the fact that the Department also commissioned audits for other Government schemes supporting energy efficiency and including solid wall insulation at scale namely; Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant and the Local Area Delivery Schemes which reported no widespread problems. So, just what’s going wrong with the ECO and GBIS schemes and what needs to change?

TrustMark, as the independent body that oversees the quality of retrofit works carried out by tradespeople in their homes, have come under criticism but the blame lies within the whole design and make-up of the ECO and GBIS schemes themselves and so Government and our entire industry needs to take collective responsibility for these issues by, first and foremost, putting right the works of those affected and then, without looking to apportion blame, work together with a with an absolute focus on improving standards and quality of workmanship, putting the processes and regulations in place and driving a culture of best practice to reinstate consumer confidence and, in the words of Martin McCluskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers, “bring forward comprehensive reforms to the retrofit consumer protection system to make it stronger, more transparent, and one more accountable, so that this cannot happen again”.

INCA Position

INCA have previously written to Minister McCluskey on this subject and our message is very clear:

INCA absolutely welcome any move to improve quality and standards – it’s what we, as a Trade Association, and our membership stand for. We are committed to driving up EWI installation standards to improve consumer confidence and have the greatest impact on energy use and wellbeing. Poor quality installations can have a detrimental effect on the healthiness of a home and the integrity of a building, and reputable businesses are harmed by the actions of a minority.

INCA has a robust membership criterion and sets strict quality guidelines for its members, and it should be noted that no INCA member was among those Trustmark accredited installers initially sanctioned by government for substandard installations under ECO / GBIS schemes.

We encourage Government to consider a complete overhaul of the current system taking into account the following:

  1. Trustmark, or similar Government endorsed, not for profit and fully independent body to remain in place to oversee the Government funded domestic retrofit market. However, it should be better resourced and given full powers to police all market participants who should answer directly and be fully accountable to this body.
  2. A much stricter Trustmark EWI installer accreditation / registration criteria is required. To include (in addition to current criteria):
    • A minimum level of installer experience within the EWI industry (INCA criteria stipulates at least 2 years industry experience).
    • Evidenced high standard of installation workmanship (audit of completed works, system designer references etc).
    • Proof of system designer training (Trustmark registration could even be manufacturer / system specific as per the NSAI model in Ireland).
    • Proof of workforce training and training policy.
    • Registration could also be linked to the EWI competency framework – an INCA led initiative on behalf of the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) currently at implementation stage.
  3. Subcontracting of installation works should only be permitted to other fully accredited Trustmark installers meeting the enhanced criteria as laid out above.
  4. Trustmark / PAS compliance process to be reviewed to streamline, drive efficiencies and standardise compliance requirements.
  5. Only full and accredited EWI systems should be installed and insurance backed guarantees should only be issued after system manufacturer sign off and subsequent receipt of the system manufacturer warrantee.
  6. The role of the Retrofit Coordinator should be impartial and enhanced to take full responsibility for interaction between multiple energy efficiency measures and the resulting ventilation strategy.
  7. Lead generation / canvassing should be regulated or outlawed.
  8. Distribution of funding via Local Authorities or area-based schemes (highly successful in Scotland) rather than via energy companies should be considered to ensure that funding is reaching those who need it most.

At the moment it is far too easy to become a Trustmark accredited installer of EWI – this needs to change. Gaining Trustmark accreditation, and hence access to Government funding, should be a robust and stringent process with installers being required to prove themselves to be fully trained, experienced, and competent in installing EWI systems.

A review process should also be put in place for periodic revalidation of Trustmark accreditation and application costs along with any regular review, renewal and revalidation fees should be at appropriate levels to ensure Trustmark are adequately resourced to effectively manage, audit and police the industry.

Having a requirement for a minimum level of industry experience (as previously stated, INCA stipulate a 2 year minimum within our own membership criteria) would prevent companies setting up purely to access funding works and the requirement for proof of training, experience and competence in specific systems would better ensure quality of workmanship.

As an alternative to a minimum, level of industry experience a provisional and temporary Trustmark accreditation could be considered along similar lines to the NSAI model in Ireland whereby any new applicant would undergo a strict and thorough audit process (paid for by the installer) for the first three ECO funded projects to monitor and assess standard of workmanship prior to full accreditation being granted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, and whilst we are hearing many differing opinions and suggested solutions to the current issues relating to poor quality installations under ECO and GBIS, to INCA the very root of the problem is clear and obvious – it lies in the fact that there are far too many of the 400+ Trustmark accredited EWI installers who have little experience or no experience in installing EWI systems but who are able to access Government money by subcontracting out ECO / GBIS funded works (often on a lowest price basis) to other equally inexperienced installers, and this should not be allowed to happen!

We believe that a complete overhaul to the structure of the ECO and GBIS schemes are needed to ensure quality standards are improved and maintained and that best practice is adhered to at all times. As The Minister said, we need to examine and learn from the schemes that are delivering at scale and working well to ensure that consumer confidence returns.

Contact Details:
Email: info@inca-ltd.org.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inca/
Telephone: 0330 124 6585

About INCA

  • INCA is the recognised trade association for the External Wall Insulation (EWI) industry in the UK representing system designers, specialist installers and key component suppliers
  • INCA has proven longevity as a trade body dating back 40 years. Current membership is 93, please refer to the INCA website for a current breakdown of our membership types: contractors, manufacturers, and associates
  • INCA’s vision: The delivery of growth in sustainable fabric performance solutions as the primary focus in combating fuel poverty and protecting the environment
  • INCA’s mission: To represent members of the External Wall Insulation industry through technical excellence, education, effective collaboration, strong marketing, communications, and member benefits.