Green Deal Home Improvement Fund closes after just six weeks

The scheme, which launched in England and Wales on 9 June, offered up to £7,800 per household to help offset costs for measures such as solid wall insulation and double-glazing.

Earlier this week, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced that the cashback amount on offer would be lowered because £50m of the £120m pot had been used up already.

But after a surge of applications, a rushed announcement was made last night declaring the fund closed.

What was eligible for Green Deal funding?

To qualify for the funding, the measures needed to have been recommended by a Green Deal assessment or Energy Performance Certificate within the past two years.

Any applications received up to the time of the announcement, which was made at 6.30pm, will still be honoured at the original cashback rates.

I’ve paid for a Green Deal assessment - but it's not taken place yet

What's not clear is what will happen to homeowners who have paid £100 for a Green Deal assessment that hasn't been carried out.

A DECC spokeswoman says the Government is aware of this issue and is looking into how to resolve it.

If you're affected, DECC suggests you contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 03300 123 1234 for further information.

What does the Government say?

Amber Rudd, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, says: “The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is a world first and in a short space of time it has proved extremely popular.

"We were always clear there was a budget which is why we encouraged people to act quickly.

“As a result, thousands more families will now benefit from Government help to have warmer homes which use less energy.”

Will the fund return?

As things moved very quickly this week, it's still not clear if or when more funding will be released.

The DECC spokeswoman says: "We'll now monitor voucher redemption rates and will consider whether to launch a further offer should funds become available."

For more details, see our Green Deal Mythbuster guide.