Tom Gordon calls Government “hypocritical” as they promise action for other home insulation issues – but not spray foam victims.

Today, Tom Gordon MP again spoke up for victims of the spray foam scandal. The Green Homes Grant Scheme offered funding for energy efficient upgrades to homes. This included spray foam insulation. After making use of a Government scheme to better insulate their homes, many homeowners found themselves with unsellable homes. Incorrectly applied spray foam has the potential to rot roof timbers and cause build ups of damp and mould.

These concerns have led to banks introducing blanket bans on mortgages for all properties with spray foam. Remedial works can cost thousands, with some homeowners being told they will need entirely new roofs. There has so far been no support for these homeowners from the Government. Instead, they have been told it is an issue that the suppliers must deal with directly.  The issue first came to Tom’s attention when a number of residents in Harrogate and Knaresborough raised the issue with him. Tom is continuing to push the government to take action on the matter and support those affected.

The previous Government refused to investigate the situation. While a quarter of a million homes nationally are believed to have spray foam insulation, there is no clear data on those funded by the Green Homes Grant Scheme. The new government have so far refused to look into this or to try and establish the extent of the damage. They have also refused to pay for remedial works in affected houses, despite the money having come from the government scheme, and the Government having approved the installers under the Trustmark scheme.

However, today the Government made a ministerial statement related to two other energy efficient home improvement schemes the previous Government created. Both the Great British Insulation Scheme and Energy Company Obligation Scheme provided funding for solid wall insulation in homes. It has now come to light that much of the work done under this scheme does not meet standards and has caused damage to properties. Once again, installers for this scheme had to have TrustMark certification.

In this instance, the Government has decided to investigate, working with OFGEM to develop a full plan for assessing properties and fixing problems. This is a stark contrast to their refusal to take action on the spray foam issues.

Tom spoke in Parliament in response to today’s ministerial statement. He spoke passionately on behalf of affected constituents, and those across the country who have been let down by the hypocrisy of this statement. He highlighted the similarities between the schemes mentioned in the statement and the Green Homes Grant Scheme. It was fantastic to see other MPs following Tom’s lead in holding the Government to account for their refusal to help affected households.