The Department’s previous energy efficiency schemes for private housing have operated in different ways, and for varying timescales, and this fragmented, stop-go activity has hindered long term stable progress towards Government’s energy efficiency ambitions. In evidence to us industry associations argued the case for a stable, long-term plan for decarbonising the UK’s domestic buildings.57 In our evidence session on Achieving Net Zero the Department referred to its new Heat and Buildings Strategy, alongside the Net Zero Strategy, which sets out its plans, including spending intentions, and the longer- term regulatory path for the building retrofit sector.58 The strategy is intended to provide a stable long-term policy landscape for consumers and industry to engage with.59 53 Q105 54 Q164–167 55 Qq 29, 52, 158 56 Environmental Audit Committee, Oral Evidence: Mapping the Path to Net Zero, HC 497, 22 September 2021, Qq 170, 189 57 MCS Certified and MCS Foundation, page 8–9, Federation of Master Builders, page 3–5, Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association, page 2–4 58 Committee of Public Accounts, Oral Evidence: Achieving Net Zero: Follow Up, HC 642, 25 October 2021, Qq 53, 55 59 Qq 74, 77, 93, 127 Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme 15 2 Scheme Implementation Unrealistic implementation timescales