EALING Southall MP, Virendra Sharma has led calls for the Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government to extend the window to complete Green Home Grant; Local Authority Delivery projects by a year.

A cross party group of 21 MPs, including Ealing Central & Acton MP, Rupa Huq have joined Mr Sharma's call.

As it currently stands some of the projects completed under the scheme will need to be finished by the end of March to be eligible for funding, but the projects mostly need to be completed in good weather to maximise their lifespan.

Last year many staff were redeployed to manage the challenges that arose due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since then, many builders and installers have struggled to meet the demand, with COVID restrictions making home visits difficult, or in some cases even impossible and the weather has caused some external work to come to a standstill.

The MPs argue that the many benefits to be gained from the Green Homes Grant; Local Authority Delivery will be missed if the scheme is rushed and that it will also miss so many of its own targets if it isn't extended, especially now with the third national lockdown.

MPs writing to the Secretary of State said: "The sector just won't have time to get the work done before the schemes close.

"Authorities will also struggle to secure the skills and employment benefits that LAD funding should support in these short timescales.

"For example, it will be very challenging to train and get good quality work from an apprentice under LAD1b before September this year, and under 1a funding due to end in March apprenticeships will be near impossible."

Virendra Sharma said: "The public want the work the Green Homes Grant is offering, but local authorities just can't deliver it usefully in the time given.

"This extension doesn't need to cost anything, people just need extra time to complete the work within the scheme.

"The vulnerable, often the first in line to benefit from this scheme, are the least likely to be able to open their homes up in the midst of lockdown, for them and the thousands more who can benefit, we need a twelve month extension."