Capita Gas Compliance Services (CGCS) appears to have pulled the plug on its new UKAS accredited gas safety certification scheme, just three weeks after it launched.

Many installers voiced their opposition to the CGCS initiative, worried that it would create a two-tier system, and that being Gas Safe Registered should be enough to prove their competency.

(continues below)

Over 400 Gas Engineers joined together to protest against the CGCS, each emailing Capita to explain why they think there’s a “conflict of interest” in the company running both the CGCS and Gas Safe Register.

It appears to have worked, as these installers received a response from Capita’s Alan Herbert, saying the company was “withdrawing the service”.

At the time of writing, the CGCS website is down, it’s Gas Safe number has vanished, and we have approached Capita for comment.

Craig Brierley (@alphatec_), who helped orgainse the email protest, commented:

“After Capita’s release of the CGCS, four Gas Safe installers Tony Dumble, PB Plumber, Gas Man God, and myself fought against the controversy, the lack of transparency and the lack of facts that Capita and Gas Safe released.

“We raised over 400 GSRs’ email addresses, and together we emailed those at the top of Gas Safe and Capita. We fought both publicly, and behind closed doors against this scheme. We believe it had the potential to be yet another burden on our industry.

“This morning Capita’s Gas Safe number was withdrawn, and their site closed. We four voices of our industry united GSRs across the country, and took the biggest step forwards the industry has ever seen. We fought back! We won and we made a change!

“United we stand was something we believe in and uniting our industry is key for further progress. We thank all the GSRs and those plumbers who are not gas safe registered who backed and supported us. Together we have a chance to continue our fight for a better safer industry.”

Installer also spoke to the elusive Gas Man God, who said:

“Verily Let us give thanks and praise today, for a great victory hath been achieved.

“Myself (GasManGod) , St Peter pbplumber , Bishop Craig AlphaTec_ and The Reverend Tony Unequaledheatin, would like to thank thee all, for the emails, tweets, messages, help and support.

“Without you, we could not hath done this. We hath done this for you, to protect your industry for the future. We do also thank Capita and Gas Safe for listening to our concerns, and making the change we sought. May GasManGod bless you ALL. Amen! #iamGMG“

Peter Booth (PB Plumber) – who received over 500 ReTweets on his video that asked ‘Am I not Gas Safe enough’ – also commented:

“It’s great to see what a group of like-minded individuals can do when they get togthèr for a common cause. We didn’t feel this scheme was needed and were vocal about the fact. It seems our voice was finally heard and they have scrapped this unwarranted scheme. Common sense has prevailed, well done to everyone who supported us.”

Follow @InstallersUnion on Twitter for more updates