A new cross-party group of MSPs has been set up in the Scottish Parliament to protect consumers of energy efficiency and renewables’ products.
These groups give MSPs, outside organisations and members of the public the chance to meet and discuss a shared interest in a particular cause or subject.
The trigger for the Consumer Protection for Home Energy Efficiency group came about following ongoing issues with the UK Government’s Green Deal initiative that affected hundreds of energy efficiency consumers throughout Scotland, including in SNP Clare Haughey’s Rutherglen constituency.
Businesses such as HELMS sold householders solar panels on the promise of reduced energy bills and other benefits, but in fact bills have in some cases tripled and saddled customers with years of debt.
MSP Clare Haughey – convenor of the new group – said: “The UK Government’s Green Deal has left some of my constituents in dire financial straits after they were allegedly mis-sold energy efficiency products by the Cambuslang-based company, HELMS.
“This now liquidated company has already been fined for making millions of nuisance calls and for breaching the Green Deal’s code of conduct.
“Some of my constituents involved in the scheme have had difficulties selling their homes because their debt, resulting from alleged mis-selling of energy efficiency products, is tied to the property.
“As a result, I have launched a new CPG in the Scottish Parliament to protect energy efficiency and renewable energy consumers and restore their confidence to “go green” in the future.
“However the UK Government must also support those people that have been left in debt after signing up to the scheme.”
17 Nov 2017
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