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Applications for Green Living Grant Scheme suspended

Anyone with a current application can progress

Government has suspended new applications for Manx Home Energy Audits which are part of its Green Living Grant Scheme. 

Applications were stopped at 5pm today as the scheme is now fully subscribed. 

The Department for Enterprise says a ‘revised approach’ now needs to be taken which ‘better reflects’ people’s current needs. 

More than 2,000 successful applications have been made – government says suspending the scheme will accommodate those who have been approved to move to the next stage. 

Anyone who has applied for an audit before the cut off will receive an assessment and will be able to apply for the existing grant if eligible.

Those applicants already in the system will be processed as normal.

The Green Living Grant Scheme was created as part of the Climate Change Transformation Programme and launched by Enterprise.

However many applicants have been unsuccessful in receiving help with no payments made in the first 10 months.

Enterprise Minister Lawrie Hooper said: “Since launching conditions have changed and we recognise that there are also priorities around direct energy efficiencies and cost savings and therefore the tools required and the support required might be slightly different.   

“In light of the growing pressure on the cost of living, we are working closely with DEFA the Climate Change Transformation Board and other departments who own the policies in these areas to ensure we are doing everything we can to help people through this difficult period. 

“We have therefore made the decision to simplify and finalise proposals to maximise support for those already in possession of a certificate, or in the process of getting one, and temporarily suspend the scheme for new applications.”

Mr Hooper told Manx Radio overhauling the system will help more people get financial assistance:

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