If you work in construction, social housing or maintenance you are likely to have heard of ‘The Green Deal’. So what exactly is it? Set to roll out in late 2012 the green deal it is the government’s intention that the Green Deal UK will revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties. It is establishing a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in installments on the energy bill.

However according John Perry, CIH policy adviser, this doesn’t seem to be the case. John said ‘One of the main aims of the green deal is to tackle fuel poverty and unless the proposals are changed it will indeed go off at half-cock. Latest figures show 5.5 million households in fuel poverty – spending more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel. ‘By the government’s own impact assessment, the new package will only cut this by 1 per cent per year up to 2020. Furthermore, according the Hills report on fuel poverty published at the end of 2011, the green deal measures will add to the fuel bills of most poor families.’

So what does this mean for the green deal, is it doomed before it even starts? Let us know what you think in the comments section.