Flagship energy savings scheme falls flat in Yorkshire

However, a spokeswoman for Energy Minister Greg Barker insisted the figures were misleading as they focused on people signing up for Grean Deal finance plans.

She said many others were choosing to pay up front and 76 per cent of homeowners who had assessments of their homes had indicated they would go on to have efficiency measures installed. More than 1,200 people had taken up a Green Deal Cashback offer, she said.

The Green Deal allows homeowners to sign up for improvements which they can choose to pay for through a loan which should cost less than the money they save through lower energy bills.

Ministers claimed thousands of people would sign up but it has faced repeated criticism over its take up rate..

Shadow Energy Minister Jonathan Reynolds said: “Energy efficiency is one of the best ways to help people get their bills under control but the statistics show that the Green Deal has completely failed.

“It is clear for all to see that rather than being a great deal, the Green Deal is now a dud deal. Labour is committed to scrapping the Green Deal and will be outlining our proposals later this year.”

A simplified version of the scheme, the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund, was launched last month and the Department of Energy and Climate Change said yesterday there had already been 2,800 applications.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “We’ve changed the Green Deal to make it simpler and faster for people to make their homes more energy efficient – you could get up to £7,600 back, straight into your bank account.

“I want as many people as possible to benefit from this unmissable offer. It won’t be around forever, so sign up now and get your home ready for the winter.”