Waveney Member of Parliament, Peter Aldous, presented on the evening of 12 February a Petition in the House of Commons on behalf of 65 Lowestoft residents and homeowners, highlighting the poor quality of insulation work that was carried out to dwellings on Seago Street and in the surrounding area as part of a Government-backed Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP).

The Petition calls for the Government to set up a means whereby each affected dwelling is inspected by a qualified assessor, with a programme of works then being prepared which can be carried out to put right any defects. The Petition also calls for compensation and an assurance that insurance cover will be available without any financial penalties.

Peter Aldous has written to MITIE Property Services, who installed the works, with a proposal as to how they should rectify the defects. He has also written to Minister Claire Perry, Ofgem (the regulator for the energy market) and Npower (who held the funds out of which the contractor was paid) setting out what has happened, how it is proposed that the matter is addressed and seeking their support in rectifying the defects.

Peter Aldous commented: “It is not right that such work, as part of a Government-backed scheme, has been carried out in such a sub-standard way and has had such a negative impact on many residents and homeowners, affecting both their health and the value and saleability of their homes. It is important that the necessary remedial work is carried out as quickly as possible. 65 residents and homeowners signed the Petition, though there may be others who are affected and if anyone has concerns I should be very grateful if they would let me know.”