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11th October 2012The Green Deal will not be a ‘flash in the pan’ and the government will continue to support it once it has been fully launched, the climate change minister has said.
Speaking at a fringe event hosted by the Dods Green Deal Dialogue, Barker said the Green Deal will be a “profound shift” in the way energy efficiency is delivered.
October 1 saw the launch of the first piece of the architecture of the Green Deal and on October 8 Birmingham City Council became the first council to announce its Green Deal plans, in partnership will Carillion.
A "world away" from traditional home energy efficiency schemes, Barker said the government will take its time to bed in the policy.
On the role of SMEs, Barker said they will be "right at the heart" of the Green Deal, highlighting the important role of local builders and local contractors.
He said the "trusted status" held by small businesses is just as important as the power and money of bigger firms.
Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council said he does not doubt Greg Barker's conviction on the Green Deal, but that he is looking like a lonely voice within the government.
Mr King called on the government to seriously consider regulation of the scheme and minimum standards for private rented housing.
In order for the scheme to be a true success he said incentives need to be included in the system, such as graded council tax or graded stamp duty.
Barker confirmed there is a need for incentives, whether through "sticks or carrots.”
Giles Willson, deputy chief executive of the Glass and Glazing Federation raised concern that his "already competent" workforce will have to go back into the market and get recertified for Green Deal accreditation purposes.
Highlighting the efforts being made by commercial landlords to drive up the sustainability of commercial properties, Sarah Beattie, environment manager at Land Securities, said that they are working to engage with commercial tenants to maintain and build upon the green credentials of their properties.
Dods Green Deal Dialogue is made up of Land Securities, The Glass and Glazing Federation and Velux.