Government plans to make anyone carrying out home improvements also invest in energy-efficiency improvements are likely to be dropped.
Under the proposals, known as consequential improvements and announced in January under the consultation on changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, homeowners would be required to spend 10% of the value of the work on energy-efficiency upgrades such as loft and cavity wall insulation, and draughtproofing.
The British Woodworking Federation has welcomed the move.
“We are pleased the government has seen sense,” said chief executive Iain McIlwee. “It was never an effective and workable solution and had real potential to deter improvement works in an already difficult time. It would also have been a fresh burden on already overstretched Building Control Bodies.
“Rather than criticising another U-turn, I applaud the fact that on this one at least, they consulted, we told them, they changed it.”
According to the Daily Mail, a source close to David Cameron said the plans were “bonkers” and “should never have been in the consultation”.
