Gavin Newlands MP speaks out on HELMS information
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has highlighted the figures that he’s secured from the UK Government showing that more installations were made to households in Paisley and Renfrewshire North by the discredited green energy company HELMS, than in any other constituency in Scotland.
Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS) went into liquidation in 2016 following receiving a record £200,000 fine by the Information Commissioner’s Office for making more than six million nuisance calls. Since then, people throughout Scotland have complained that HELMS miss-sold them on the savings that they would make through having solar panels installed.
Affected households have been left with higher energy bills and not being able to sell their properties due to the fact that in some cases households were tied into a 25-year credit agreement with their energy suppliers – despite being told their solar panels were free.
Over 293 households in Paisley and Renfrewshire North had installations made by the discredited HELMS, more than any other constituency in Scotland.
The Green Deal was the 2010 – 2015 coalition Government’s “flagship legislation” which was to “deliver energy efficiency to homes and buildings across the land”.
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The discredited HELMS has forced thousands of people across Scotland into debt and instead of saving on their energy bill they are not paying substantially more.
“It is upsetting to find out that more households in Paisley and Renfrewshire North have been affected by this scandal than any other part of Scotland. However, that’s not too surprising as I’ve been contacted by a number of constituents who have expressed their anger at now being in debt and in a lot of cases not being able to sell their home, as the loans are tied to their properties.
“I will be reaching out to try and help all those who have been affected by this issue. Anyone who has been caught up should get in touch with my office and we’ll try to help as much as possible.
“HELMS received a record breaking fine from the Information Commissioner but sadly it’s your average household who is facing the financial burden of HELMS’ mis-selling.
“The Green Deal was a flagship policy of the UK Government and they must accept responsibility and help the households in Renfrewshire and across Scotland who have been affected.”
