CONCERNS have been raised about there being not enough local tradesmen to complete council-backed schemes in time.

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), is looking to make homes more efficient and plans to join the next phase of the Green homes voucher scheme, after the first phase of the scheme ended last month.

Cllr John Holmes, who represents Bowness and Levens, came out fighting for the elderly to be considered for any help in a new scheme.

He said: “If your energy costs are more than ten per cent of your income, then there should be some help.

"But there is another problem, there is a skills shortage of tradespeople to install the new green energy-saving products into homes within the council's deadline.

“If we don’t have the workforce to do all the work before the next deadline then we have a problem."

Council leader Jonathan Brook said he would look to see if the deadline could be extended.