OVER 400 homes across Ayrshire could be affected by the collapse of green deal plan provider Home Energy Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS).

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Alan Brown has pursued UK Energy Secretary Claire Perry to reveal the extent of the problem in the county.

Ms Perry confirmed in written answers to the SNP MP’s questions that 146 homes in Kilmarnock and Loudoun and 81 in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock were affected.

The HELMS Action Group Ayrshire held a public meeting, facilitated by Mr Brown, on Thursday, January 18 and founder Isabel McNicoll explained why she joined the campaign.

She sad: “Around November I received a notification from British Gas that they had my Green Deal details and would begin deducting the payments in my next bill. I was confused so when my bills started being more than I had been paying before the installation I started to make enquiries as to why this was happening.

“I needed to take my complaint to the company. This was easier said than done as after several months it became apparent that HELMS had gone out of business.

“Time passed and in November 2017, I started Googling HELMS complaints and low and behold there were other people who had the same story to tell. I found an action group had been set up by Clare Haughey MSP and Hamilton Citizens Advice Bureau.

“I attended one of their meetings but before going along I decided to set up my own group to find out just how many people in Ayrshire had been affected. Over that weekend I had about eight enquiries to join the group.

“I contacted my MSP and MP and met with Alan Brown. He was aware of a couple of other constituents who had raised concerns over this Green Deal and said that he would be happy to facilitate a public meeting early in the New Year.

“It was held in Kilmarnock where around 50 people attended and voiced their concerns. There are residents from all parts of Ayrshire caught up in this but I’m sure we are only getting the tip of the iceberg as it’s pitched at people on Facebook.”

Commenting on the HELMS public meeting, MP Alan Brown said: “Everyone was justifiably angry and disappointed and there were common themes. It was clear there had been miss selling both in terms of the benefits of signing up to the Green Deal offerings and also the financial aspects. Most were led to believe they did not have to pay any money and instead they have been left with what is a loan on top of their electricity bills and in other cases supplementary loans to pay for the equipment.

“There is also anger at the UK Government who set up this scheme and clearly did not have the correct system in place to check companies before approving them and then for the ongoing checks on installation.

“At Westminster I will be working with my colleagues on the All Party Parliamentary Group set up to deal with this subject and I will be suggesting we invite the Minister along so she can hear the harrowing stories we have heard. I have submitted a number of written questions and will continue to do so as well to probe the UK Government and try and force action.”