WEST Devon constituents should be vigilant when approached by companies offering assessments and home improvements, which are allegedly part of the Government's Green Deal scheme, warns MP Geoffrey Cox.

The warning follows an increase in the number of people contacting Mr Cox after they had paid money to such companies, and been falsely told that they can claim the money back through the Green Deal.

After contacting the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on behalf of his constituents, Mr Cox has been advised that the issue of rogue companies making Green Deal claims is a national problem, one that the DECC are aware of, and one which they are working hard to address.

Their official response stated: 'Consumer protection is at the heart of the Green Deal and we have an effective process to deal with authorised participants. Where rogue companies operate outside of the existing framework but claim to act on behalf of the Green Deal then the existing consumer protections provided by Trading Standards and the legal system apply.'

Mr Cox said: 'I am extremely troubled by the current trend I am seeing whereby honest and vulnerable individuals are essentially being conned into parting with their money by these companies. They seem legitimate and money is being handed over in good faith as people want to make a difference to the environment.

'I am reassured that the Government is doing everything possible to try and stop these rogue companies from operating, and I would urge everyone who is considering getting work done to be extremely vigilant, to shop around and to check out the credentials of the company they hope to use.'

For more information on the Green Deal go to http://www.gov.uk/green-deal">www.gov.uk/green-deal or for advice, call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.