The Green Deal may not be the green revolution the Government hopes it will be according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) which recently surveyed its members and found that almost 44% thought homeowners were unlikely to take advantage of the Green Deal when it launches in autumn 2012.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: "The Government is hoping that its Green Deal will persuade homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient but almost 44% of our members, small building firms that are in contact with homeowners on a daily basis, think homeowners are unlikely to take advantage of it. If the Government wants the Green Deal to be a success it should start by offering additional incentives. 70% of respondents to our survey believe that cutting VAT to 5% on all energy efficient materials and work would increase homeowner interest. More than a quarter also believe that council tax reductions would be the biggest incentive for homeowners."

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The FMB is calling on the Government to help small building companies have equal access to the energy efficiency market by allowing an independent third party financial provider to handle Green Deal finance packages.

Mr Berry concluded: "This would help ensure that small building companies can compete fairly with the larger companies who will be offering 'one–stop-shops' to consumers."

(CD/KMcA)