Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes
Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 346
22 March 2021
Government Response (AI assessment · 39 of 39 classified)
Accepted
9
Acknowledged
15
Deferred
2
Rejected
6
Government response
First Special Report - Energy efficiency of existing homes: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 13 May 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
6
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 42
We support the extension of ECO to 2026 and the extra funding announced in the...
Recommendation
We support the extension of ECO to 2026 and the extra funding announced in the Fuel Poverty Strategy. The Government must review whether ECO is still delivering Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes 57 value for money and whether the energy …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will publish an evaluation report for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) later this year, addressing the recommendation to review its value for money. However, it implicitly defends the current funding mechanism via energy bills, rather than committing to a review of its appropriateness or fairness.
9
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 51
We recommend that Home Upgrade Grants are launched in full before the end of 2021,...
Recommendation
We recommend that Home Upgrade Grants are launched in full before the end of 2021, backed by the entirety of the funding pledged for the scheme, to mobilise supply chains for low carbon heating. The Government should also set out …
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Government Response Summary
The government committed £150m to launch Phase 1 of the Home Upgrade Grant after December 2021, addressing the timing and setting out a central role for local authorities in delivery via a competitive bidding process, but notes further multi-year funding is subject to future fiscal events.
13
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 72
Sustained delivery of measures to support the transition to a 68 per cent reduction in...
Recommendation
Sustained delivery of measures to support the transition to a 68 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, and net zero by 2050, will require strategic planning and thorough engagement with all stakeholders. The Government’s strategic ambitions here require multi-annual …
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Government Response Summary
The government is undertaking a Net Zero Review and plans to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy shortly to outline its long-term strategic approach. It has also made specific multi-annual spending commitments, including increasing the Energy Company Obligation to £1 billion per year from 2022, allocating £2.5 billion for Home Upgrade Grants, and a £3.8 billion Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund over 10 years.
18
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
The Government should bring forward the allocation of the £3.8bn of funding pledged before the...
Recommendation
The Government should bring forward the allocation of the £3.8bn of funding pledged before the 2019 general election. This would deliver cost savings at scale. This funding should be frontloaded to reap the benefits of cumulative emissions savings towards net …
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Government Response Summary
The government has allocated £60m and an additional £300m for energy efficiency schemes in 2021/22, with the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) intended to be open to all social housing landlords, but will continue to seek further funding.
25
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 112
In its forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government, acting on the advice of the...
Recommendation
In its forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government, acting on the advice of the Climate Change Committee, should set an ambitious and realistic trajectory for owner occupiers to achieve minimum EPC C standards. The CCC recommends that by 2028 …
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Government Response Summary
The government is committed to the aspiration of upgrading as many homes as possible to EPC Band C by 2035 and will consult on regulatory measures this year, recognizing the need for exemptions and for addressing risks of a two-tier mortgage market.