Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Cavity Wall Insulation — [Mrs Pauline Latham in the Chair]

26 March 2024 · 6 other contributors · 9,441 words

Opened by Holly Lynch Lab Halifax

Responding minister: Amanda Solloway

EnergyEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Holly Lynch raised concerns about cavity wall insulation — [mrs pauline latham in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about cavity wall insulation schemes causing legal and health issues for up to 1400 people.
  • MP requests government to liaise with Solicitors Regulation Authority and conduct a comprehensive review.
  • Minister promises to ask SRA to accelerate investigations for affected homeowners.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Minister to liaise with relevant agencies, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), to address this issue urgently. She requests a comprehensive review into the entire situation and urges for recommendations that could lead to necessary reforms to prevent similar issues in the future.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Holly Lynch Lab Halifax

The MP is concerned about the widespread issues caused by cavity wall insulation schemes funded under Government grants. She outlines a series of cases where constituents were assured that installing cavity wall insulation would be free and beneficial, but later faced significant legal fees due to alleged damage caused by the installation. Up to 1,400 people may have been impacted, with many struggling to pay large enforcement notices from law firms. The MP cites examples of families becoming unwell due to damp and mould, individuals falling into debt, and the distress caused to those living in fear of bailiffs coming to their homes.

Other contributors (6)
  • Alan Whitehead Lab Southampton, Test

    Congratulates Holly Lynch for securing the debate and raising awareness about cavity wall insulation issues. Expresses concern over the scandal of faulty cavity wall insulations, particularly in areas where claims firms have pursued homeowners aggressively with false promises. Highlights the need for swift redress through CIGA but points out that many homeowners are unaware of this option or had installations before guarantees were available. Criticises law firms like SSB Law and Pure Legal for pursuing cynical practices to make money from distressed homeowners, leading to large legal bills and discouragement of notifying CIGA.

  • Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East

    Imran Hussain highlighted the severe impact of defective cavity wall insulation on constituents, including financial ruin and health issues. He mentioned cases where legal firms took on significant debts with little chance of success and left people without recourse. He emphasised the cross-party support for addressing this issue and called for immediate action by the Government to drop legal proceedings and establish a compensation fund. Mr Hussain requested that the Minister ask her colleagues at the Ministry of Justice to respond to letters from MPs and organise an urgent meeting.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Supporting the debate, Jim Shannon highlighted cases of financial distress caused by unexpected bills ranging from £17,000 to £35,000. He praised Northern Ireland's insulation schemes for their effectiveness and noted that while there were issues with no-win, no-fee representation in other regions, Northern Ireland managed to address them efficiently. Shannon emphasized the importance of government support to ensure such problems do not recur and called for justice for those affected by the cavity wall insulation scheme.

  • Kate Hollern Lab Bolton West

    Kate Hollern highlighted the human toll of the SSB Law crisis, emphasizing the distress and fear faced by constituents who received letters threatening court action. She called for an investigation into the data on those affected by the scheme and urged the government to drop all demands for payment and court orders. Hollern stressed that people are living in unsafe homes with health threats due to poor implementation of a Government-backed decarbonisation scheme, leading to urgent action needed to address the crisis.

  • Pauline Latham Con Sherwood

    Order. Could the Opposition spokesperson address the Chair?

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    He highlighted the problems caused by poor cavity wall insulation, citing cases of mould and damp in social homes. Richard mentioned that properly installed cavity wall insulation can save money for individuals and reduce emissions. He noted a significant decline in cavity wall insulation installations through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme from 2014 to 2023, emphasising the potential benefits if more homes were insulated. The MP also pointed out that the west country received less ECO funding compared to other regions.

Government Response

Amanda Solloway

The Minister expressed sympathy for those affected by faulty cavity wall insulation, noting its impact on people's lives. She highlighted ongoing schemes for insulating homes properly and the role of independent bodies like the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in investigating misconduct. The Minister acknowledged concerns about companies targeting individuals unfairly and promised to ask the SRA to accelerate investigations for affected homeowners. She also encouraged MPs to write to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero regarding specific cases, noting that some schemes offer guarantees. The cost of cavity wall insulation ranges from £1,000 to £3,000 and can save up to £300 annually. Recent improvements have been made to installation standards as a result of earlier findings. Guidance for consumers who suspect faulty insulation was published in October 2019, and the Minister urged all consumers to check certifications before proceeding with work. TrustMark is recommended for finding reliable installers.

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