Supplementary written evidence submitted by TrustMark (2005) Limited (HEA0176)

TrustMark would like to thank the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee for the opportunities created to both present written evidence last year and provide in person, verbal evidence in January this year.

We would like to build upon the supportive evidence previously provided in our capacity as the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements. Also, in our function appointed under the recommendations from the Each Home Counts Review as a ‘quality mark’ to provide assurance to consumers that appropriate protection is in place for work carried out in and around their homes; and to help maintain and drive improvements to standards of workmanship across the sector.

Working with our Scheme Providers, TrustMark already provides a central registration and monitoring process for 100% of PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessors and Coordinators, PAS 2030 and MCS certified installers, delivering ‘a whole house approach’ to retrofit appropriate to the property in question.

Under the Energy Company Obligation and numerous government capital-funded schemes, TrustMark registration is required as it builds in robust protection for consumers and is a trusted central source of reputable trades/professional people independently assessed for their competence, quality of work and customer service. There is also a requirement to lodge PAS 2035 compliant works carried out, along with relevant associated documentation, into the TrustMark central data repository, the ‘Retrofit Portal’. This ensures appropriate assurance activities, data collection and future analysis to help inform key stakeholders.

In this context and since January 2020, TrustMark Registered Businesses have lodged an estimated £3.3 billion value of delivered energy efficiency and renewable/low carbon measures. This has supported in excess of 650,000 homes in fuel poverty. The levels of data we are now getting through our systems are allowing data insights and reporting tools as well as driving the robust, yet proportional assurance services, to support the journey to net zero.

Whilst these numbers are substantial, the percentage of work currently undertaken under PAS 2035 relates predominately to the funded schemes and is a small percentage of all the work carried out in properties across the UK to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy bills. The vast majority of this work, as well as general home improvements, is undertaken under the ever-improving building regulations.

The challenge is in the ‘able-to-pay’/homeowner funded sector; helping to transition our supply chain to a place where they deliver a whole house approach to retrofit. It is a recognised fact that the supply chain must expand to meet the requirements for compliance with Net Zero and, as mentioned many times and in many areas, this means bringing in other acknowledged supply chains such as builders.

As we have previously relayed, TrustMark is working with DESNZ (and the Retrofit Standards Task Group) to support a quality delivery of more single measures in lower risk contexts via the Great British Insulation Scheme through a route which is not full PAS 2035; yet with the incorporation of important key principles to maintain a quality delivery in a proportionately affordable way.  Should this approach come to realization, we would suggest that this approach could be built upon in a sustainable way to help support the engagement of the other acknowledged supply chains that are so important to helping meet the net zero commitment.

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It is well documented that consumers face a complex arena of advice, recommendations, and standards which prove difficult for a consumer to understand, connect with and trust. Using an existing, tested and government-supported methodology of assurance and protection helps to remove current barriers. TrustMark is already engaging across a variety of key sectors and organisations to help achieve improved consistency of the delivery of standards, clarity of understanding and awareness, and pace of delivery. These include:

• Government and regulatory bodies
• Devolved nations and local governments
• Key standards and safety bodies, including MCS and CPS
• Major financial institutions
• Educational and training institutions
• Consumer protection and advice organisations

TrustMark firmly believe that if all those working in energy efficiency, renewable and low carbon technology retrofit were working to a widely recognised scalable road map including consistent, transparent, and proportionate standards for the work performed, supported with developed technology and trusted appropriate advice this would help simplify the current complex landscape and build confidence for consumers, trades, finance providers and consumer organisations alike.

We are committed in our belief and determination, that our experience of delivery and in driving up standards of workmanship and protecting the customer, has a further and bigger role to play in supporting the energy efficiency retrofitting our nation. Afterall, the retrofit need is enormous at an estimated 24 million UK homes, creating a marketplace estimated to be in excess of £600 billion in the journey to net zero by the year 2050.

February 2024