Highland Trading Standards Service warn of 'free insulation' offers

10th October 2012

Use The Highland Council offer From Carillion.

Trading Standards officers with The Highland Council are warning all residents to be on their guard when answering 'cold-callers' at their home offering 'free home insulation'.

This warning follows reports being received by Trading Standards as a result of a current Highland Council approved Universal Home Insulation Scheme being operated by Carillion Energy Services within the Highland area.

The reports suggest that firms are promising 'free installation' under the UHIS scheme following a survey and that they are working on behalf of The Highland Council when clearly they are not.

The Highland Councils Housing and Property Services are keen to point out that scheme only applies in five Council Wards, Wick, Landward Caithness, Cromarty Firth, Tain & Easter Ross, Aird & Loch Ness and the only contractor is a company called Carillion Energy Services, the employees of which all carry identification and authorisation letters which will be produced.

Energy Advice Officer Karen Maclean said: "All households within the selected Wards have received a letter giving information on the scheme and what to do. The scheme does not currently apply to any other Wards within the Highland Council area and no company other than Carillion Energy Services can do the works under the Highland UHIS scheme. Carillion have been accepted as being competent to carry out the works. We are concerned that others whose competence has not been vetted will carry out works and potentially leave the house damaged with no recourse for the householder. The Highland Council will not be held liable for any costs resulting from non-approved scheme works being carried out."

Highland Trading Standards Team Leader, Mark McGinty, added: "Any business which calls at your door and informs you they are working under a particular scheme when they are not is committing an offence. I would advise all householders to think twice about entering into any contract at home and if in doubt to ask for a copy of the contract to be left to check before deciding to sign."

The Highland Council Trading Standards Service would like to hear from householders who are concerned about cold calls they have received or the practices of salespersons who visit them at home.

Concerned residents can contact The Highland Council's Trading Standards Service by visiting or writing to: Highland Council Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF or by telephoning Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08456 04 05 06. Further information on the Universal Home Insulation Scheme can be found at

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/warmhomes/uhis

If you live within the five ward areas and would like an appointment to have a Carillion representative go via the link.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.