A cavity wall insulation installer refused to insulate the cavity wall
around my external chimney breast, stating this was their policy for safety
reasons. but being unable to provide coherent arguments to back up this
assertion. I wanted this area insulated to prevent air movement in the
cavity and to minimise the heat lost to the outside from a stove.

I can appreciate dangers may arise if such a job is not done with due care -
and this should lead to the flue becoming blocked, but in this case a metal
flue liner has been recently installed. Does anyone else have a similar
situation - and if so what approach was taken?

It seems to me that the cavity wall installation companies either do not
trust the competence of their own staff, or despite their outward "green
credentials" are driven by grants and subsidies and in practice only want to
"cherry pick" the quickest and easiest parts of the job.

Any comments?

Andrew