The Statutory Instruments (SIs) relating to the Green Deal were considered in Grand Committee by the House of Lords on July 23rd and passed. This represented the final hurdle before the SIs can be formally laid down in legislation. The SIs were considered together, before being passed individually at the end of the discussion.
This stage of the process is essentially a procedural requirement rather than an opportunity to shape legislation, however the Glass and Glazing Federation in conjunction with political consultants GK Political briefed peers prior to debate in the hope that they would raise the profile of this issue and increase pressure on the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) by making a case to Lord Marland, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, who represents DECC in the House of Lords.
Lord Dixon-Smith cited the GGF’s name a number of times whilst highlighting to the House a number of points raised in the briefing paper we also distributed to other peers and MPs, including those sitting on the relevant committees in the Commons and Lords prior to the SIs being debated by them; and also to civil servants, special advisers and Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker; following the publication of the SIs.
Lord Dixon-Smith’s comments emphasised the impact that the newly introduced provision in the Statutory Instruments would have upon the glazing industry and disadvantaged households. He asked Lord Marland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, to look at this issue further.
Lord Marland was questioned by other peers about a range of concerns relating to the GD, including its attractiveness, scope, take up and impact; matters of finance and the golden rule; and complications arising from a charge being attached to the property rather than a person.
Lord Marland’s response to Lord Dixon-Smith on the concerns he raised in relation to windows and ECO and responded that people who qualify for ECO should have better standards than are the minimum for building regulations, but also agreed to write to Lord Dixon-Smith with further detail.
The GGF will contact Lord Dixon-Smith to thank him for his contribution, and to encourage him to share Lord Marland’s written response as swiftly as possible.
Meanwhile the GGF is awaiting responses from Greg Barker MP to three letters, one on this matter, one sent by Luciana Berger MP asking to explore whether there is any prospect of challenging the SIs through other parliamentary processes and a more recent letter regarding the perceived bias against the Glazing industry by REAL who are working in conjunction with the Green Deal Oversight Body, Gemserv.
