9
PRO INSTALLER AUGUST 2016
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
GGF TO LOBBY ON
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The Glass and Glazing Federation
(GGF) will try to change or influence
the new government’s policies on
energy efficiency, following the political fallout from the EU Referendum.
The key departmental change is the
merger of The Department for Energy and
Climate Change (DECC) and the remaining
functions of the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills (BIS). The result will
be a new Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which will
bring together responsibility for business,
industrial strategy, and science and innovation with energy and climate change
policy.
Nigel Rees, GGF Chief Executive, commented: “These changes are welcome because it means we can start fresh dialogue
and create relationships with new departments, ministers and government officials.
Without going into too much detail, it was
obvious the government’s energy efficiency
initiatives over the last five years were not
working. Only recently, the government
released the cost of £240m for Green Deal
and ECO, two schemes that failed both the
construction industry and consumers. We
hope the new cabinet and departments will
listen to industry’s solutions and develop
a progressive long term plan that benefits
all.”
Nigel said the GGF’s short to medium
term strategy would be to try to change or
influence existing and imminent policies
relating to energy efficiency. The GGF has
also participated for the last six months in
the soon to be released Bonfield Review.
This is a government commissioned independent investigation into energy efficiency
in the UK. It will cover consumer advice,
protection, standards and enforcement for
UK home energy efficiency and renewable
energy measures.
It aims to highlight the failings and positives of previous energy efficiency schemes
and provide recommendations for the next
steps for the UK’s long term energy efficiency policy.
Brian Smith, GGF Director of Home Improvement, said: “With the Bonfield remit
based around protecting consumers and
ensuring professional practice, we will
emphasise to government that our industry is in relatively good health. The GGF
already has in place proven protection
and conciliation schemes that are free for
consumers. In addition, all GGF members
adhere to our Consumer Code of Practice
which was approved by Trading Standards
Institute earlier this year. Our industry also
has strong competent person schemes,
none more so than FENSA which in recent
years has worked with government to
introduce Minimal Technical Competency
to over 6,000 companies with GGF Training
ensuring thousands of installers are legally
qualified to install windows in the domestic
sector.”
The GGF will also seek clarification from
BEIS to confirm its level of commitment to
‘climate change’ – a phrase that has been
dropped from the new department’s title
following the merger.
www.ggf.org.uk
RDER BY 8PM
GET IT NEXT DAY!
TOP
BRANDS
AT LOW T
RAD
PRICES E
CALL 0808 168 28 28
OR GO ONLINE TO GET
YOUR FREE CATALOGUE
15,000
PRODUCTKS
IN STOC AY
D
FOR NEXTERY
DELIV
UK’S BIGGEST
RANGE IN STOCK
CALL 7am-8pm 7 days a week
0808 168 28 28
FREE DELIVERY
OVER £45*
FREE RETURNS
WITHIN 30 DAYS
MINIMUM
5 YEAR GUARANTEE
LOW TRADE
PRICES
*Ex VAT
ONLINE Shop 24/7!
IronmongeryDirect.com
FOLLOW US ON