A green homes scheme offering landlords grants of up to £5,000 to boost energy efficiency buy to let homes has been scrapped. The scheme, launched last September collapsed due to excessive red-tape, a lack of installers andpoor take up.

The Government will instead be setting aside £300 million for upgrades to social housing and the lowest paid householders.

No further applications will be accepted from 5pm on March 31 but applications already in the pipeline will be honoured in full.