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The Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) has defended the Green Deal, saying that sign ups for the initiative are actually "in the hundreds" despite reports to the contrary.
A spokesman from Decc said: “It is very early days for the Green Deal with many firms still in the process of entering this brand new market.
“But contrary to some speculative media reports, over all, the initial signs are very encouraging.”
The defence of the government’s flagship energy efficiency scheme comes following reports over the weekend that as few as two Green Deal packages have been agreed and installed.
Reports suggest that computer problems at Decc have delayed the process of getting Green Deal loans agreed, and the number of packages that have been agreed is said to be closer to 200.
This still represents a less-than 1 per cent conversion rate from the 20,000-plus assessments that have been made and Labour MPs are branding the scheme a failure, blaming”sky high” high interest rates of more than 7 per cent.
Shadow climate change minister, Luciana Berger, said: “Ministers said that more than 10,000 households would sign up to the Green Deal this year – but it looks like people are saying ‘no deal.'”
She added: “Ministers urgently need to get a grip and ensure the Green Deal is a good deal for the public.”
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