Almost all external insulation fitted under Tory scheme needs repair or replacing, report finds

A National Audit Office investigation found that 98% of external wall insulation installed under the government's ECO and GBIS schemes requires repair or replacement, with a significant portion likely to cause damp and mould. Of the approximately 23,000 homes fitted with external insulation, most of these installations are considered substandard. Additionally, between 9,000 and 13,000 homes with internal insulation also have major issues, and over 3,000 installations of both types pose immediate health and safety risks. The report attributes these failures to weak government oversight, inadequate auditing, and a complex system with unclear roles and responsibilities among scheme providers, certification bodies, Ofgem, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This allowed installers to circumvent quality checks and, in some cases, commit fraud, potentially claiming millions from energy suppliers for falsified installations. The poorly executed works have left homeowners with homes that could experience worse cold and damp conditions, undermining public trust in energy efficiency initiatives. In response to widespread... download the app to read more