ECO4 Scheme Failures

Credit: Markus Spiske via Unsplash

The ECO4 Scheme is a UK government initiative that helps low-income households improve their home's energy efficiency, while aiming to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. Some people, including some North East Fife constituents, qualified for ECO4 on medical grounds. It's a government obligation placed on energy companies to fund energy-efficient upgrades for domestic properties. The scheme is set to run until March 31st 2026, however it has encountered several issues so far including incomplete and poorly done work. So far, the Government has suspended 39 businesses that installed poor-quality solid wall insulation using publicly funded energy efficiency schemes. 

Speaking about her experience with an ECO4 Scheme installation, one Constituent commented:

"We feel there are unscrupulous companies using the ECO4 scheme to make a lot of money by taking advantage of vulnerable people.

“It has had a huge detrimental effect on my health. Shame on them!"

After being contacted by several constituents whose homes had been damaged or who had been left with unfinished work, I raised it in the Chamber:

“I’ve been contacted by several constituents who have experienced failed ECO4 Scheme installations.

“What support is there for constituents when installations go wrong?

“Are rogue installers getting paid when work isn’t completed properly, and what steps are the Government taking to address these failures?”

In response, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), said:

“We are very aware of issues that we’ve had with ECO4 and GBIS.

“There is a clear redress mechanism, so if constituents have been affected, they should have received a letter from Ofgem.

“They should be able to contact their installer who are required and obliged to fix the work.

“There’s a wider point – we know that the system for quality assurance and consumer redress is not fir for purpose, we are determined to overhaul it.”

I’m pleased to see the Government acknowledge the issues that many constituents have experienced with ECO4 and that there is a redress mechanism in place. No one should be left with a damaged home or shoddy installations that lead to more issues and more expenses, so I hope that the redress mechanisms are effective and that constituents can get the issues fixed.

If you’ve experienced issues with an ECO4 installation or need any support, please do get in touch on wendy.chamberlain.mp@parliament.uk.