Yahoo News Green Energy Firms Fail With 1,000 Jobs Lost
Green campaigners have accused the Chancellor of driving a "wrecking ball" through the drive for clean energy following the collapse of two companies.
It was confirmed that more than 930 jobs had been lost at Mark Group, which specialises in solar energy and insulation, when it called in administrators late on Wednesday.
Deloitte said all installations and surveys had been cancelled and customers would be contacted.
Mark Group, which is based in Leicester, said in a statement that subsidy reductions announced by George Osborne after the election meant its recovery plan was "unviable".
Climate Energy, an efficiency specialist, was the other company to confirm its demise, with FTI Consulting appointed as administrator.
The announcements sparked a backlash against the Government.
The UK chief scientist for Greenpeace, Dr Doug Parr, said: "For all his rhetoric about building, it's not scaffolding George Osborne is bringing to Britain's clean energy sector but a wrecking ball.
"Evidence is growing that the Chancellor's policies are putting people out of jobs, damaging investment and harming one of the country's most promising industries."
The green energy sector argues the Government's support is crucial for investment, jobs and keeping household bills down.
It has also expressed anger that ministers are instead directing cash towards oil and gas companies in the North Sea amid a collapse in prices.
In July, the Government released new estimates showing that its support for renewables was set to top £9bn by 2021 - given a sharp rise in the number of green energy projects.
Officials claimed it risked adding £18 annually to a household bill.
Energy and climate change secretary Amber Rudd said then: "Our support has driven down the cost of renewable energy significantly.
"As costs continue to fall it becomes easier for parts of the renewables industry to survive without subsidies. We’re taking action to protect consumers, whilst protecting existing investment."
