Zoe Conway and Esyllt Carr wrote the article on homeowners struggling with unsuitable insulation fitted under government schemes and found that the promised action won’t benefit them. Margaret Chappell, a 93-year-old resident, had her insulation work done in 2021, leading to her house being plagued by damp, black mold, and crumbling plaster. Despite the government acknowledging the issue in homes fitted with insulation since 2022, Mrs. Chappell and her neighbors feel neglected and essentially invisible.
Mrs. Chappell, who has lived in County Durham for six decades, expressed her frustration at being ignored by the government after being advised by the Durham County Council to get solid wall insulation under a free government scheme. The promised benefits of warmth and reduced energy bills have not materialized for her, as her living room is now overrun by dampness, causing serious health concerns for her chronic asthma. She emphasized the urgent need for action to rectify the situation.
The prevalence of unsuitable insulation extends beyond Mrs. Chappell’s case, with over three million homes in the UK having received insulation under government schemes, including solid wall insulation in 260,000 properties. The dire consequences of poor insulation were highlighted in the case of Tormuja Khatun, whose house in Luton faced mushroom growth and dry rot due to inadequate insulation. Despite the government’s assurance to address issues in homes insulated since 2022, residents like Ms. Khatun remain uncertain about when the necessary work will commence.
Amidst growing concerns, the government initiated an audit by Trustmark on 1,000 properties with solid wall insulation, revealing glaring deficiencies in half of the homes assessed. Building surveyor David Walter underscored the gravity of the situation, attributing rain penetration to poor design and workmanship in the insulation. The exorbitant cost of rectification surpassing the market value of homes underscores the catastrophic nature of the scheme, necessitating urgent intervention to salvage the affected properties and residents’ well-being
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
