HENRY TUFNELL MP has welcomed new government measures to address poor-quality insulation and energy efficiency installations under schemes such as ECO4.

The announcement introduces stronger consumer protections, following Henry’s consistent advocacy on behalf of his constituents and his recent interventions in the House of Commons.

The government’s measures include:

• Stricter enforcement against non-compliant installers.
• Enhanced support for homeowners to resolve complaints.
• Mandatory compliance with TrustMark standards for all work under these schemes, ensuring adherence to the highest levels of quality through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
• A strengthened complaints process via TrustMark to safeguard households and improve accountability.

Henry Tufnell MP has been a vocal advocate for addressing substandard insulation. Last month, he submitted two written parliamentary questions to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, highlighting constituents’ concerns and urging greater oversight.

Today, speaking in the House of Commons, Henry reiterated the importance of robust regulation, stating:

“I am so pleased that our new Labour government is taking immediate action on this issue. No one should have to deal with substandard installations or bear the cost of shoddy workmanship. I will work closely with the government to ensure that these measures deliver real change for affected households.”

Henry urged constituents experiencing issues with recent installations to visit the TrustMark website for guidance on lodging complaints: www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowner/support/complaints-process.

The Senedd signed off on proposed UK legislation to regulate the water industry despite concerns about the Welsh Parliament being “sidelined” by Westminster

Senedd members voted to consent to the UK water (special measures) bill, which aims to address governance issues and poor performance from water companies on pollution.

But Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the climate change committee, said the Senedd was “at the mercy” of the UK Government, with time for scrutiny curtailed.

Mr Gruffydd warned of a “huge” increase in Westminster legislation in devolved areas, saying: “I know ministers in the Welsh Government believe it is appropriate in many cases.

“It might be possible to defend their position if the system worked but it does not, which, in my opinion, undermines the position of the government.”

‘Sidelined’

The Plaid Cymru politician said Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister, is well aware of the shortcomings of a legislative consent process he is now using so enthusiastically.

He pointed out that Welsh Water operates a different ownership model to water companies in England, saying governance proposals must suit Wales’ circumstances.

Mr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, said the funds generated by fines levied on companies should stay in Wales to improve services and infrastructure.

Labour’s Mike Hedges, chair of the legislation committee, warned the Senedd was being “sidelined” and the legislative consent motion was “at odds” with ministers’ aims.

He said the Welsh Government’s 2015 water strategy stated the objective was to align regulatory boundaries for water and sewage with the Wales-England border.

‘Piggybacking’

Mr Hedges told the Senedd: “Elected Members of the Senedd are being prevented from having a full say on legislation affecting rivers through their constituencies.

“While MPs in England will be able to table amendments to the bill on matters that affect Welsh rivers, Members of the Senedd are being denied that opportunity.

“Overall, the evidence provided by the Welsh Government to support this approach to using a UK Government bill to legislate for Wales has not been persuasive.”

Mr Hedges, who represents Swansea East, warned the case for piggybacking on a UK bill was weak, with decisions taken too quickly and potentially not fully thought through.

He described the process as an unsatisfactory and regrettable way of making law for Wales.

‘Chaotic’

Janet Finch-Saunders said the Conservatives would support the motion, with more accountability required in light of the “chaotic” response to the Conwy water crisis.

The Aberconwy Senedd member welcomed powers in the bill to restrict bonuses paid to executives where water companies fail to meet required standards.

Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell agreed the bill could strengthen efforts to reduce water pollution, particularly by enhancing the powers of regulators such as Ofwat.

Her party colleague Adam Price derided an insistence that water is inherently a cross-border issue, pointing out that many rivers and tributaries cross European borders.

Mr Price urged Welsh ministers to grasp powers – set out in the St David’s Day agreement on devolution which led to the 2017 Wales Act – to give the Senedd full control over water.

‘Lasting change’

Mr Irranca-Davies, who is climate change secretary, stressed that what happens upstream in England affects what happens downstream in Wales, and vice versa.

He said: “That means in order to make real and lasting change we must work together,” pointing out that Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate cover Wales and England.

He explained the bill will strengthen the regulator’s powers to address water pollution, limit bonuses and allow Natural Resources Wales to recover costs from water companies.

The deputy first minister added: “It is absolutely right to ensure that implementation is done in the best way for Wales, some of the measures … are likely to proceed differently.”

The Senedd voted 37-0 in favour of the legislative consent motion, with 10 Plaid Cymru members abstaining, following the debate on January 21.

A LOCAL politician has called on the Welsh Government to ban politicians from lying in the Senedd.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mid and West Wales MS  Jane Dodds MS called on the First Minister Eluned Morgan to confirm that legislation on political deception will be passed this year.

Last summer, Jane Dodds MS voted in favour of a motion which would make it an offence for a Senedd member, or a candidate for election to the Senedd, to wilfully or with intent to mislead make or publish a statement that is known to be false or deceptive.

The Welsh Government has previously committed towards making lying in Welsh politics an offence.

According to data from the Veracity Index, in 2024 only 9% of the public trusted politicians to tell the truth-the lowest score in forty years.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have backed plans to ban lying in the Senedd, as part of their pledge to clean up Welsh politics.

Commenting on the need to restore trust back into Welsh politics, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said that “we need to counter the rise of misinformation and its damaging consequences.”

We need to look no further than the event of last summer, where misinformation spread by elected officials led to riots that left lasting damages on countless communities.  

Mistruths and lying can and have had a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people, which is why we must act now.

We can no longer tolerate the hijacking of our political system by mistruths and deception, We have return power back to voters.

The stakes have never been higher and the Welsh Government cannot afford to sit by and watch as public trust in our democratic institutions continues to erode away. “