FIRST the debacle over the solar panel feed-in tariff and now the green deal failure which the Coalition Government said was a key ambition to deliver large cuts in climate-warming carbon emissions and curb energy bills.

The policy to transform the energy efficiency of 14 million homes and create 65,000 jobs now appears set for failure.

The Government’s own figures show the number of lofts being insulated per year will plummet by 83 per cent, while cavity insulation will fall by 43 per cent.

This will mean that ten million lofts remain inadequately lagged and eight million houses with cavity walls remain uninsulated.

Green deal loans replace grants that were making a difference, but people cannot afford them, as shown by low take-up.

Yet ministers refuse to listen and are pressing ahead with proposals which their own figures show will be a disaster for hundreds of small insulation businesses, will risk thousands of jobs and will only reach two to three million households of the 14 million needing insulation.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour councillor for Acomb ward, Cabinet member for health housing and adult social services.