Scam warning over government energy-saving grant

People hoping to get free energy-saving upgrades to their homes as part of a government scheme could be targeted by scammers, councillors have warned.

Bradford Council has been awarded more than £7m as part of the Warm Homes fund to improve energy efficiency in some of the district's poorest insulated homes.

However, concerns have been raised that householders could fall victim to rogue companies posing as official council contractors.

Kamran Hussain, the council's spokesman for neighbourhoods and community safety, urged the council officers to "make sure safeguarding is put in place so that these companies are not scamming customers".

"Over the years, we have found that many people have been stung through grants that have been implied as coming through the council," Hussain said at a meeting.

He said work had in fact been carried out by private companies that were not part of government funding, leading to a "very large bill".

Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of the council, said: "If a householder is asked to pay something, it is not a council scheme."

She said the council should give out clear information about the programme to ensure residents are not misled.

Council officers said the local authority would directly manage the scheme, selecting a single contractor to do the work through official processes.

Bradford Council had applied for £27 million from the Government's new Warm Homes scheme but, despite receiving less than requested, it still secured the largest grant awarded to any single council.

The authority hopes the project will mirror the success of a previous scheme, which upgraded 635 homes in Bradford with roof and underfloor insulation in 2022 and 2023, and was praised by government officials as a model project.

Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "The work will make these homes a lot more comfortable, reduce their fuel bills, and assist in reducing carbon emissions."

The scheme will roll out over the next three years, with additional funding potentially available if Bradford exceeds its delivery targets.

The funding comes from a £500m national pot for energy performance upgrades and better heating for people living in some of the worst quality privately owned and rented homes.

The free work could include new insulation, solar panels or an air source heat pump if suitable.

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