TrustMark today announced the launch of its new Licence Plus Scheme, designed to enable more quality retrofit energy efficiency improvement installations to be made to the millions of homes across the UK in need of upgrading.
Around 19 million[1] homes in the UK have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or less. These need to be improved to a rating of at least C to help meet the UK Government’s climate change commitments and make homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run. This, combined with on-going increases in energy prices means there is a significant and growing demand for businesses that can carry out these works to quality standards.
Simon Ayers, CEO, TrustMark explains, “While the package announced by The Chancellor to cap energy bills is welcome, households still have higher energy bills to pay. For millions of homes, much of this already-paid-for energy is going straight out of the building. Improving energy efficiency through quality retrofitting is key to helping reduce this burden but it must be done by competent tradespeople working to measurable standards to ensure the result fits the need. The demand for businesses has never been higher and will only increase given the announcement by The Chancellor on Friday that not only supports the existing, but also brings forward new obligations on energy suppliers worth £1billion – with additional amounts expected – to start in April 2023. This demand, coupled with the current skills shortage, means we have to look for broader solutions. We believe that the Licence Plus Scheme can be part of that solution.”
The Licence Plus Scheme will enable more TrustMark Registered Businesses to take on domestic retrofit energy efficiency work under a recognisable TrustMark framework of compliance and consumer protection. It showcases the competency and quality workmanship of TrustMark Registered Businesses who can join the Licence Plus Scheme through participating TrustMark licensed Scheme Providers. All work under the Licence Plus Scheme will be lodged in the TrustMark Data Warehouse. The Data Warehouse is a central database where improvement works to properties are maintained, alongside any specific requirements for warranties or consumer protection. This provides visibility of the work that has been delivered and how it is protected. He continues, “Initially our focus is on working with Schemes in the energy sector to help alleviate issues around the current energy crisis. Once this first stage is embedded, we’ll then look to extend this to other sectors we work with as soon as practicable. We believe that businesses will see the opportunities this can bring and how it will support the development of skills to future-proof the industry.”
Businesses who are interested in applying to the Licence Plus Scheme should talk to an appropriate TrustMark Licensed Scheme Provider as the Scheme rolls out.
