A renewable energy body says 16,000 people are employed by South West construction businesses in making homes more energy efficient – but the figure could be higher.

The report, The South West Retrofit Market Study, by Regen SW, claims the region could miss the opportunity to increase the figure if it does not act to support the sector.

Lee Richards of Regen SW said: “Both The Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which promised so much, have been beset with budget cuts and bureaucracy.”