The Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s
report on Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes has been published
today. The response does little to alleviate concerns that
sufficient action is being done to tackle the greenhouse gas
emissions of the UK’s housing stock.
Within its response, the Government trails the imminent
publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, where it is
anticipated energy efficiency measures will be unveiled.
The EAC’s report raised concern that the Government’s estimates
on the true cost of decarbonisation of existing housing stock had
been significantly underestimated. In response, the Government
has explained its estimate of between £35-£65 billion is based on
as many homes as possible to reach EPC C, but fails to offer a
cost for all UK homes.
The Government has also admitted that it did not consult
stakeholders before it rolled out the Green Homes Grant voucher
scheme and acknowledges that there were problems with issuing
vouchers. The EAC remains of the view that a replacement scheme
is needed, to be announced and funded in the next Spending
Review, that is fit for purpose, will endure for several years
and be free of bureaucratic obstacles.
The EAC welcomes the Government’s commitments to consult on
policy costs on electricity bills if they are deterring consumers
installing heat pumps, and the introduction of the Clean Heat
Grant to assist those who are off the gas grid pay for heat
pumps.
While the Government has stated that the system of EPCs will
continue, it is working on an improved methodology that takes
into account smart meter data, which will be further reviewed in
2025. The EPC scheme has anomalies which need addressing, so the
EAC will continue to follow this with interest.
Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon MP, said:
“Our Committee has warned the Government that failure to address
with urgency the energy efficiency of the country’s homes could
jeopardise its ambitions to be net zero by 2050. Eye-catching top
line targets for heat pump installations and raising minimum
standards for homes are all very well. What is desperately needed
is a coherent plan to achieve those targets.
“In many ways, the Government response repeats what the Committee
already knows. At best, it is a holding response for the hotly
awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy. At worst, it is a lack of
acknowledgement of the urgency needed to tackle sky high
emissions from our existing housing stock.
“The Government’s response to the EAC report raises the stakes
for the Heat and Buildings Strategy. I hope we will not be
disappointed by that strategy, and that tangible action to
implement the strategy – backed up by Treasury funding – is taken
very soon after its publication.”
Notes to editors:
- The EAC’s report on Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes can
be found on the website.
- Within the Government response, the EAC has included
correspondence with Ministers in the Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy on the future of the Green Homes
Grant voucher scheme, including the response from BEIS Minister,
, to the
Chair’s letter to the Secretary of State which was published on
19 April.
