The Mayor of London’s ‘retrofit revolution’ looks set to snub smaller innovative providers in favour of a few powerful companies.
Sadiq Khan recently announced a program to refurbish the capital’s worst social housing. £5 billion has been set aside to deal with cold and damp housing stock and bring it up to low-carbon standards.
But despite claims there will be a ‘rigorous process’ to find the best contractors, there are worries that smaller businesses will miss out.
Green Party Mayoral candidate Sian Berry said: “Mega-partnerships with big firms could shut out newer better companies.”
There are also concerns that companies behind the Grenfell scandal will be allowed to compete for contracts. Sian asks: “Will those chosen be the same firms implicated in Grenfell and the cladding scandals?”