Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has established an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to tackle rogue businesses that had mis-sold solar panels and home insulation as part of the UK Government’s Green Deal scheme.

The APPG comes after the liquidation of Rutherglen-based company Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS).

Businesses such as HELMS sold solar panels on the promise of reduced energy bills, but in fact bills have in some cases tripled, and have saddled their customers with years of debt.

People who had taken on the scheme also found out afterwards the debt would be tied to their properties, meaning it became difficult to sell their homes.

The company was previously sanctioned for £10,500 by the UK Government in November 2015 for breaches of the Green Deal Code of Practice.

The number of people affected is not known, and Ms Crawley is now asking for constituents to come forward with their testimonies.

Ms Crawley said: “I have already been contacted by dozens of constituents in Lanark and Hamilton East who have been mis-sold solar panels by HELMS, and I am aware neighbouring MPs have too.

“Although HELMS has already faced a financial penalty, the people by their scheme are still left in debt, and the UK Government needs to address this.

“I have established the APPG on HELMS to make the Government sit up and take notice.

“In order to go forward, I would like to establish the true scale of people affected.

“If you have been mis-sold energy saving products by HELMS, please contact my office on 01698200065 or at angela.crawley.mp@parliament.uk”