Thousands of homes at risk of damp and mould over botched insulation, government confirms
Solid wall insulation was made available under two government-backed schemes over the past few years, allowing homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient for free.
However, 'a majority' of the insulation granted under these schemes was not 'installed to the appropriate standard,' said Labour minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, adding that over time it could lead to damp and mould.
In a statement to Commons, the minister for energy consumers added: 'The government is keen to encourage everyone who is contacted for the purposes of scheduling an audit to strongly consider taking part in these checks, even if they do not think there is anything wrong with their installation.
'Our priority remains to ensure that poor installations are identified and remediated as quickly as possible, with no cost to the consumer.'
Crucially, anyone who is affected by the issue will not have to pay to fix the problem. Installers are required to foot the bill for the issue, and prove they have carried out the work properly with Trustmark, the independent body that oversees tradespeople working in homes.
For anyone whose installer has stopped trading, a guarantee should cover the cost of removal up to £20,000.
The botched insulations were installed under two initiatives: the ' Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4)' and 'Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)'. They were launched by the government in April 2022 and May 2023, respectively.
These schemes enabled eligible households to apply for free energy-efficiency upgrades through their energy supplier or local council – including solid wall insulation.
Solid walls are most common in properties built before the 1920s. They have no gaps or cavities, and insulating them involves adding material to the inside or outside of them to trap heat.
But a report published by Trustmark in January pointed to 'significant examples' of installations that fell short of the required standards.
Since the findings were revealed, Ofgem has written to the 60,000 households understood to have had insulation fitted under the two schemes.
Ms Fahnbulleh has confirmed that 'thousands of households have already had on site checks conducted,' adding that '90 per cent of the poor-quality installations that were identified in the initial audits conducted by Trustmark have been remediated."
Anyone with concerns about their insulation or with more questions can contact Ofgem
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Labour isn't working: Sick leave in Whitehall surges under Starmer as civil servant absences jump by over a quarter in major government departments
Sick leave in the Whitehall blob is surging under Labour, analysis suggests. Absence rates jumped by up to 26 per cent in major government departments last year. Civil servants taking prolonged periods off over mental health issues was fuelling the rise, sources claimed, with tens of thousands of working days lost. And it showed Labour ministers were 'turning a blind eye' and had gone soft on trying to boost productivity in the public sector, critics said last night. The analysis comes amid wider concerns about Britain's sick-note epidemic, with 11 million 'fit notes' – which assess an individual's ability to work – doled out in England last year. Public sector workers are 60 per cent more likely to be off due to illness than those in the private sector. Foreign Secretary David Lammy's department saw one of the biggest increases, with 35,452 working days lost last year, the study found. This soared from 28,122 in 2023 and concerned 2,904 staff, up from 2,437. Alex Burghart, the Tories' Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: 'This is shocking analysis. Too many days are lost to sick leave in the Civil Service. It's unfair on taxpayers and on the staff left to carry the load. 'Ministers are turning a blind eye and the Government has gone soft on productivity. This is the last thing Britain needs when it is already struggling under Labour.' Most of the increase was due to 'long-term' absences, suggesting civil servants are calling in sick for extensive periods. Working days lost as a result of these longer periods off surged from 16,165 to 20,770, compared to a jump from 11,957 to 14,682 because of 'short-term' sickness. Staff with no such time off stood at 67 per cent, down from 72 per cent. Mental health issues fuelled a surge in absence rates, the Department for Transport said. Its annual report and accounts claimed overall 'Average Working Days Lost' per staff member last year jumped from 8.6 to 9.2 for officials at the department and linked agencies. Again, the majority (5.7) were for 'long-term' sickness, with 'mental ill health' remaining the 'largest long-term absence type'. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's office recorded a jump of 12 per cent in the sickness leave rate. As of March 31 this year, the average working days lost to sickness per official was 7.4 days, up from 6.6 in 2024. And the Department for Education's rate surged from 5.3 to six. Angela Rayner's housing department also saw a 12 per cent jump in average working days lost due to sickness, from a rate of five in 2023 to 5.6 last year. Only 58 per cent registered 'no sickness absence', down from 63 per cent the year before. But rates at agencies linked to the department were much worse, with the days-lost rate at 8.8 – up from 5.9. Just 41 per cent suffered no sickness, down from 56 per cent. Of eight departments to have published their accounts for 2024/25, just two saw sickness rates fall or stay the same. These were the Treasury, where the rate dropped from 3.3 to 2.8 days lost on average per worker last year, and the Department for Work and Pensions (6.9 to 6.8). It comes despite Sir Keir Starmer saying in December that 'too many' civil servants 'are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline'. A government spokesman said: 'The civil service provides a range of tools and policies to ensure employees remain in work and are supported to return to work as quickly as possible.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Nutritional expert shares popular snacks parents think are healthy... but should actually not be fed to kids
An expert nutritional therapist has revealed the popular snacks parents think are healthy – but shouldn't actually be fed to kids. With the summer holidays in full swing, families will be scrambling to find activities to occupy their little ones. And it's no secret that giving them something to eat can fill the gap for a while. But Amber Silverman is urging parents to be careful when choosing a healthy snack, as what might seem nutritious is actually doing children more harm than good. 'One of the most common things I hear from parents is: "I honestly thought that was healthy," and it's completely understandable,' the nutritional therapist, from London, told NeedToKnow recently. 'Supermarkets are full of products that look wholesome, often plastered with phrases like "no added sugar" or "made with real fruit,"' she warned. 'But once you take a closer look, the reality isn't always quite so rosy.' Here are the most common lunchbox and cupboard offenders. Fruit Snacks Amber, a mom-of-two, said that labeling on fruit snacks often states that 'real fruit' is involved, but it can be extremely misleading. She explained: They're usually little more than processed sugar, syrup, and flavorings. 'Even when fruit purée is listed as an ingredient, it's stripped of the fiber and nutrients you'd get from eating real fruit.' And the same goes for fruit pouches, which are better than ultra-processed snacks, but still aren't as good as the real deal. Smoothies and juices Amber, 54, said that while smoothies are a great way to get kids' five-a-day in, they're only beneficial if made from scratch. She warned that bottled versions often contain fruit concentrates, sweetened yogurt, or added sugars – and are surprisingly high in calories. And juice is no better. Amber added: 'Even the pure kind is still very high in natural sugars and lacks the fiber that slows down sugar absorption in whole fruit. 'It's easy to forget that one small carton of juice might contain the equivalent of sugar of several pieces of fruit. 'Better to stick with water most of the time and keep juice as an occasional treat – or just eat an orange.' Flavored Yogurts Amber said that yogurts in little tubes or pots are usually marketed towards children, and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. But there's little benefit for your tot. She dished: 'Low-fat versions are particularly sneaky, as the fat is usually replaced with added sugar to keep them tasting good. 'A better option? Go for plain, full-fat yogurt and stir in some fresh fruit yourself.' Granola and Cereals Oats, nuts, and sometimes a bit of dried fruit may seem like a winner, but what's really hiding in the ingredients? Amber said: '[They're often] held together by glucose syrup or other sweeteners and can contain just as much sugar as a chocolate bar. 'Not ideal if you're after something genuinely nourishing that'll keep kids going through the day. '[And while] cereal is quick and convenient, even the ones labelled with 'whole grain' or 'fortified with vitamins' can be high in sugar and low in fibre. 'They may give a short burst of energy, but that's usually followed by a mid-morning crash – and a grumpy, hungry child asking for snacks.' Veggie Straws and Chips If the phrase 'veggie' is used, it must be healthy, right? Wrong. 'Sadly, not. They're often made with potato starch and oil, with just a dusting of powdered vegetables for color,' Amber explained. 'Nutritionally, they're not much better than ordinary crisps.' Whole Wheat or Multigrain Crackers Reaching for crackers might seem like a quick, tasty, and nutritional option to feed your tot when they're hungry. But, like most foods, the labels are misleading. Amber said: 'Just because something has 'whole wheat' or 'multigrain' on the label doesn't mean it's automatically a healthier option. 'Many of these snacks still contain refined flours, low-quality oils, and not much in the way of actual nutrients. 'If you're buying crackers, check the label and look for ones made with 100% wholegrain and minimal added ingredients.' Amber advised parents to opt for savory snacks over sweet – such as cheese, homemade hummus, edamame beans, and nuts and seeds. She said eating refined sugars can be 'detrimental' to kids. The mom continued: 'It creates unstable blood sugar levels, where the highs and lows can have an adverse effect on behaviors. 'Common symptoms of this would be irritability or anger, fatigue or lethargy, headaches, mood swings, and attention problems. 'This can impact their learning at school and at home – and how they interact with people around them. Refined sugars are also linked to inflammation in the body, which in turn is linked to a diseased state. 'In the medium to long-term, there may be impacts on immune function and other health concerns when refined sugars are consumed daily or very regularly.' She also noted that refined sugars impact teeth, weight, and digestive health – which can also damage developing brains. Since it has addictive qualities, these difficulties can last even into adulthood. While it can feel overwhelming trying to make the right choices, she says the best method is to stick to real, whole foods and recognizable ingredients. And don't be afraid to whip up simple meals from scratch. She concluded, 'Feeding your child isn't about being perfect. It's about balance, awareness, and building habits over time. 'One less fruit snack and one more real apple might not seem like a big deal today, but over months and years, it adds up.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
TalkTV's James Whale reveals he is in a hospice amid terminal cancer battle - confessing he 'probably won't be here next week'
Veteran broadcaster, James Whale, has revealed he is in a hospice in a heartbreaking update amid his battle with terminal cancer. The TalkTv presenter, 74, recently confessed he 'have much longer', sharing he was told he only had 12 weeks to live amid his terminal cancer battle. The radio host was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in February 2020, which sadly later spread to his spine, brain and lungs. And while announcing his final episode of his podcast, Tales Of The Wales, James shared he would probably not 'be here next week'. In a whispered voice, he said: 'This is probably going to be our last podcast. 'I'm in a hospice. I probably won't be here next week. I'm fine. I've got so many drugs in me, I can't feel a thing.' 'A lot of people get really upset when someone is going to die,' he added. 'I'm the person who's going to die and I'm quite relaxed about it.' The couple confessed they had been crying often, but 'in a good way', while listening to voice notes and reading messages, praising James's and his impact on their lives. While he was 'very upset and worried about' his wife Nadine, she responded saying how they had been reminiscing about their beautiful memories over the years. 'Like how we went to Antigua,' James said, while Nadine added: 'We have been very lucky and very blessed with all the amazing things we have been able to do.' Despite his ill health, the Talk TV presenter has kept his humour, joking while explaining how he is craned into a bathtub at the hospice. He added that hospice staff told him his wife could join him in the bath and they could dim the lights. 'I began to wonder what sort of place this is,' he joked. As the episode came to a close, James said to Nadine: 'We've had the best time together haven't we. I love you.' 'Thank you for being a listener I hope it helps in some way. Who knows what is next so I can only say au revoir.' It comes after James shared his health has dramatically declined as he admitted he is struggling to breath, talk, think and hear in a previous episode. Speaking on his podcast Tales Of The Whales, James said: 'I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't talk. 'Anyway. Good morning. Welcome to Tales of the Whales, our weekly podcast. I have terminal 5 cancer. Can you get 5?' Last week, heartbreaking pictures emerged of James giving the 'most compelling' interview of his career. James filmed the interview with Nigel Farage as a TalkTV producer shared snaps ahead of it being released. In the images James looked frail amid his illness and had a yellow blanket over his knees. He penned on X: 'After 50 years in broadcasting, Whaley delivers one of the most compelling and profound conversations of his career. 'A masterclass in asking the right questions. @THEJamesWhale @Nigel_Farage @MitchellCMM.' Under another image of the interview set up he wrote: 'Filming Whaley's last interview with Nigel Farage. The bravest man I know. A legend and a friend.' He also appeared in an image with his co-host on Talk TV Ash Gould. It comes after last week James took to social media to share an emotional update about his terminal cancer battle - admitting that he 'hasn't got much longer'. The Big Brother star choked up as he wished his grandson a happy birthday and reflected on his own mortality in the heartfelt message. He said: 'I'm not terribly well in the final stages of cancer, but I just want to tell my grandson how proud I am of him. 'He's a Royal Marine and he's been a Royal Marine for over six months, nearly a year now, he got through all his training, and I am so, so proud, you have no idea.' The visibly emotional star added: 'Happy Birthday, mate. Happy Birthday to all of you who have put your lives where you have '360 years ago, the Royal Marines were founded. Happy Birthday to you all.' Reflecting on his mortality, James said: 'It's alright, I'm an old git, [I'm] 74. I'm still on the TV and radio but not for much longer. I love you all, guys.' Fans were quick to send supportive messages to James in the comments section of the video, which was posted to Twitter/X, thanking him for his work as a presenter. They wrote: 'You have been the voice of many people, thank you. Your family are lucky to have such an inspirational loved one. Thinking of you and sending love.';
