Decarbonising heat in homes

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 2 Oct 2020 Closed: 18 May 2022 Parliament page
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has launched an inquiry examining the path to decarbonising heating in homes. The BEIS Committee will examine the Government’s ‘Buildings and Heat Strategy’, due in November, and investigate the policies, priorities and timelines which are needed to decarbonise heating in residential buildings … Read more
26 Recommendations
13 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
16 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 29 events
18 May
2022
Report published
1 Mar
2022
Correspondence
9 Feb
2022
Correspondence
3 Feb
2022
Report published
16 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
16 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
8 Sep
2021
Correspondence
22 Jul
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Correspondence
8 Jul
2021
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
16 Nov 2021
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Decarbonising heat in homes
Ian Rippin · Microgeneration Certification scheme Juliet Phillips · E3G Marcus Shepheard · Climate Change Committee Zoe Guijarro · Citizens Advice
8 Jun 2021
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Oral evidence session
Caroline Bragg · Association for Decentralised Energy Ed Dodman · Ombudsman Services James Richardson · National Infrastructure Commission Jenny Hill · Committee on Climate Change Matthew Copeland · National Energy Action Neil Kenward · Ofgem Polly Billington · UK100 Stephen Knight · Heat Trust
20 Apr 2021
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Oral evidence session
Emma Harvey · Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings Juliet Phillips · E3G Mark Barrett · University College London Naomi Baker · Energy Saving Trust
16 Mar 2021
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Private meeting; Oral evidence session
Angie Needle · Cadent Gas David Renard · Local Government Associations’ Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board George Day · Energy Systems Catapult Greg Jackson · Octopus Energy Michael Lewis · E.ON Patrick Chauvin · Stonewater Randolph Brazier · Energy Networks Association Steve Keeton · Vaillant Group UK Ltd
9 Feb 2021
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Oral evidence
Craig Dyke · National Grid Electricity System Operator Dr Richard Lowes · University of Exeter Dr Will McDowall · University College London Graham Halladay · Western Power Distribution Gus McIntosh · SGN Ian Rippin · Microgeneration Certification Scheme Service Company Professor Janette Webb · University of Edinburgh Professor Nick Eyre · University of Oxford
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in homes HC 1038 3 Feb 2022 39 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
39 results
1 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Ineffective historic heating policy and the absence of a clear, strategic policy direction for low...
Ineffective historic heating policy and the absence of a clear, strategic policy direction for low carbon heating has created confusion and uncertainty in the transition to low carbon heating and has affected investor confidence. We welcome the long overdue publication … Read more
Government Response
The Heat and Buildings Strategy outlines our approach over the first half of this decade, which will be focussed on growing supply chains, growing the skills base and creating the … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Evidence was clear that for low carbon heating installations to work effectively and to heat...
Evidence was clear that for low carbon heating installations to work effectively and to heat homes adequately, properties need to be upgraded to the correct levels of energy efficiency. It is critical then that Government policies and strategies are interlinked. … Read more
Government Response
The Government has a clear plan for our major clean heat technologies and is continuing to develop a long-term plan for deploying these measures at scale, of which the Heat … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
To successfully decarbonise domestic heating in time to deliver net zero by 2050, the Government...
To successfully decarbonise domestic heating in time to deliver net zero by 2050, the Government must provide clear, strategic direction and guidance. The Government must now focus on providing a coherent policy environment that encourages policy consistency and certainty in … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We call on Ministers to publish a heat technology road map, produced in partnership with...
We call on Ministers to publish a heat technology road map, produced in partnership with chief technologists from industry partners, to clearly set out the development, scale up and integration milestones of different low carbon heating technologies, and the associated … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We congratulate the Department on its work on heat networks, including the consultation on heat...
We congratulate the Department on its work on heat networks, including the consultation on heat network zoning. We support the rollout of heat networks across the country, the retrofitting of high-density housing, and the installation of heat networks in new … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We recommend that the Government consider the Scottish Government’s approach of legislation for heat networks.
We recommend that the Government consider the Scottish Government’s approach of legislation for heat networks. If Ministers disagree with the approach taken in Scotland, an explanation in response to this report is required.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Furthermore, the Government must rapidly develop its data collection and records on the location of...
Furthermore, the Government must rapidly develop its data collection and records on the location of heat networks, and statistics about their use. Without a detailed understanding of how many heat networks are operational in the UK and where they 54 … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We note that the then Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government felt it only...
We note that the then Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government felt it only played a “limited role” in the decarbonisation of heating in housing and demand that Ministers prioritise this crucial work more clearly in the future.
Government Response
The Government recognises the need for a clear pathway to phase out fossil fuel heating systems from our buildings, balancing market certainty with consumer choice and flexibility. The Heat and … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Future Homes Standard is another key policy in the Energy White Paper.
The Future Homes Standard is another key policy in the Energy White Paper. It aims for new build homes to be fitted with low carbon heating, and high levels of energy efficiency to ensure that homes built to the Future … Read more
Government Response
The Government is committed to phasing out the installation of high-carbon fossil fuel heating in buildings currently off the gas grid during the 2020s. Acting early on these buildings is … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We acknowledge that the Government wants to give industry the time to develop its supply...
We acknowledge that the Government wants to give industry the time to develop its supply chains; however, this appears to be to the detriment of new build homeowners, who will have to pay to retrofit their homes. It is unnecessary … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We also call on Ministers to set out, in response to this report, what measures...
We also call on Ministers to set out, in response to this report, what measures are being considered to assist tenants who rent their homes in managing the transition to low carbon heating with their landlords; and what support might … Read more
Government Response
The Government has set out its ambition for the market to grow to 600000 heat pump installations a year in the UK by 2028. This level is consistent with delivering … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Delivering net zero by 2050 will require a ban on the installation of fossil fuel...
Delivering net zero by 2050 will require a ban on the installation of fossil fuel heating systems by the mid-2030s at the latest. We note that the Government signalling, instead of setting, an end-date for the phase out of gas … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We recommend that in the context of the phasing out of gas boilers, the Government...
We recommend that in the context of the phasing out of gas boilers, the Government adopts a clear and specific end-date by regulating through legislation the phase out of gas boilers. We also recommend that the Government sets out its … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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14 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
It is vital that the Government should meet its target to deliver a minimum of...
It is vital that the Government should meet its target to deliver a minimum of 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 or it will fall off course in delivering net zero by
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We ask the Government to set out in response to this report the intended milestones...
We ask the Government to set out in response to this report the intended milestones and targets it has in place to ensure that the UK meets its 2028 target and what funding it will put in place to ensure … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
To ensure that the UK does not fall off course in achieving its targets for...
To ensure that the UK does not fall off course in achieving its targets for carbon emissions reductions, we recommend that the Government works with industry to consider how the Climate Change Committee’s advice to deliver 900,000 heat pumps a … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We further recommend that the Government should convene the retail banking sector to encourage and...
We further recommend that the Government should convene the retail banking sector to encourage and facilitate low-cost and innovative lending products for consumers, and that public funds are used most widely in supporting lower income families with appropriate grants. Read more
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18 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Secretary of State’s assertion that the target to deploy 600,000 heat pumps will “have...
The Secretary of State’s assertion that the target to deploy 600,000 heat pumps will “have to be delivered” highlights the Government’s determination but there is still a lack of specific, strategic action on its part to ensure that low carbon … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We acknowledge the introduction of the market-based mechanism outlined in the Heat and Buildings Strategy;...
We acknowledge the introduction of the market-based mechanism outlined in the Heat and Buildings Strategy; however, it will not deliver the scaled-up heat pump market needed to achieve the Government’s heat pump target. The Government must expand the market-based mechanism … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
To meet the Government’s targets for decarbonising heat, significant action needs to be taken to...
To meet the Government’s targets for decarbonising heat, significant action needs to be taken to innovate and develop low carbon heating markets and in bringing these markets to scale. Scaling up the markets for low carbon heating technologies also offers … Read more
Government Response
The design of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has been heavily informed by scrutiny of the Green Homes Grant Scheme. The targeted scope of the scheme, flat rate grant and … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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21 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We recommend that the Government introduce a heat decarbonisation sector deal by 2023 so that...
We recommend that the Government introduce a heat decarbonisation sector deal by 2023 so that there may be a heightened focus on scaling up low carbon heating markets and reducing costs.
Department for Business and Trade
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22 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
It is vital that the heating and energy efficiency workforce has the capacity and skills...
It is vital that the heating and energy efficiency workforce has the capacity and skills required for the job at hand. This will require training new workers as well as supporting existing workers in the home heating sector. It is … Read more
Government Response
The Committee on Fuel Poverty is an advisory non-departmental public body. As an arm’s length body, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, it is not directed … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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23 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Government must urgently develop a low carbon heating training programme, in partnership with industry...
The Government must urgently develop a low carbon heating training programme, in partnership with industry and trade unions. The training programme should align with the Government’s own target to deploy 600,000 heat pumps by 2028 and the plans it has … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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24 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
At present there is no company that operates as a “one stop shop” where customers...
At present there is no company that operates as a “one stop shop” where customers can procure all the services required for a successful retrofit installation and change to a low carbon heating system. Consideration should be given to project … Read more
Government Response
Ofgem is the independent regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain. As such, they already have a significant role regulating companies in the heating sector. The Government is … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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25 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
In addition to working with industry and trade unions, we recommend that the Government works...
In addition to working with industry and trade unions, we recommend that the Government works closely with local and regional authorities in England allowing local leaders to deliver coherent services to their populations, for example through the regional delivery of … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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26 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Green Homes Grant was an important and welcomed initiative.
The Green Homes Grant was an important and welcomed initiative. However, the way in which the Government designed the Green Homes Grant, both as a short- term stimulus instead of a long-term national infrastructure project and as a hastily developed, … Read more
Government Response
The Government has been working closely with regional government representatives to attract investment within the supply chain. This has included facilitating discussions with heating appliance manufacturers interested in increasing their … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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27 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We call on the Government to prioritise the development and launch of a replacement for...
We call on the Government to prioritise the development and launch of a replacement for the Green Homes Grant, delivered locally through regional and local government in England instead of centrally by the Department. Ministers should provide an update on … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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28 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We welcome the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced in the Heat and Buildings Strategy.
We welcome the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced in the Heat and Buildings Strategy. To ensure the success of the scheme, we recommend that in the delivery of the scheme, the Government must: 1) explain what lessons have been learnt … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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29 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The current apportioning of environmental levies disincentivises the switch to electrified low carbon heating solutions,...
The current apportioning of environmental levies disincentivises the switch to electrified low carbon heating solutions, such as heat pumps, because the running costs are greater than a gas boiler. As we have seen with the ongoing gas market crisis, increases … Read more
Government Response
Government recognises that current pricing of electricity and gas does not incentivise consumers to make green choices, such as switching from gas boilers to electric heat pumps. We are committed … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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30 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We recommend that the Government reapportions environmental levies to improve the financial attractiveness of electrified...
We recommend that the Government reapportions environmental levies to improve the financial attractiveness of electrified heat and to encourage the uptake of electrified low carbon heating systems incrementally over several years. The levies should reflect the relative carbon emissions of … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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31 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We call on Ministers to mandate the Committee on Fuel Poverty to monitor and report...
We call on Ministers to mandate the Committee on Fuel Poverty to monitor and report annually on the transition costs on fuel poor households. (Paragraph 125) Consumer engagement and protection
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32 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Consumer engagement and awareness when it comes to the decarbonisation of domestic heat is low.
Consumer engagement and awareness when it comes to the decarbonisation of domestic heat is low. One of the greatest shortfalls of the Heat and Buildings Strategy is that it misses the opportunity to outline the Government’s plan to drive up … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees with the Committee’s recognition that further action is needed to increase consumer awareness in this area, the key technologies and interventions involved, and the priority actions to … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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33 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
It is clear that current technologies to decarbonise home heating lack widespread consumer awareness and...
It is clear that current technologies to decarbonise home heating lack widespread consumer awareness and are at price points that make transition costly for most households. The sector needs to demonstrate more commitment to improving their product capabilities and greater … Read more
Government Response
It is clear that current technologies to decarbonise home heating lack widespread consumer awareness and are at price points that make transition costly for most households. The sector needs to … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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34 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Government should establish a national consumer awareness campaign that, as a minimum, informs the...
The Government should establish a national consumer awareness campaign that, as a minimum, informs the public on why the decarbonisation of heat is needed, what low carbon heating solutions are available and the changes that consumers may have to make … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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35 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Currently, there are no sufficiently robust consumer protections in place for the heating sector, especially...
Currently, there are no sufficiently robust consumer protections in place for the heating sector, especially for poor quality installations. The Heat and Buildings Strategy failed to set out a robust consumer protections framework that will build consumer confidence and trust … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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36 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We were pleased to see in the Heat and Buildings Strategy the Government’s recognition of...
We were pleased to see in the Heat and Buildings Strategy the Government’s recognition of the role that local authorities play in the decarbonisation of domestic heat and the net zero agenda as a whole. The Government must avoid setting … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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37 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
Throughout our inquiry we have heard about the co-ordination gap between central policies and the...
Throughout our inquiry we have heard about the co-ordination gap between central policies and the delivery of these policies at the local level. It is an oversight of the Heat and Buildings Strategy that it did not explore how the … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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38 Conclusion
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should give higher priority to the decarbonisation...
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should give higher priority to the decarbonisation of homes and the support it offers to local and regional government in England, and should, in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy and … Read more
Government Response
The Government recognises that local authorities play an essential role in driving local climate action, including on the decarbonisation of homes. We are committed to working closely with local and … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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39 Recommendation
Seventh report - Decarbonising hea…
We call on the COP26 President, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, in his capacity...
We call on the COP26 President, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, in his capacity as chair of the Cabinet Office Climate Adaptation and Implementation Committee, Decarbonising Heat in Homes 59 to take ministerial responsibility for improved coordination between Departments … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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Correspondence 16 letters
1 Mar 2022 To committee Letter from the COP President on decarbonisation of domestic heat
Parliament page
9 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from the Chair to the COP26 President on the decarbonisation of heat in homes
Parliament page
8 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing on policies for decarbonising heat in homes
Parliament page
22 Jul 2021 To committee Letter from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury relating to policy relevant to domestic heat decarbonisation
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13 Jul 2021 To committee Letter from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on the request to attend the Decarbonising Heat in Homes inquiry session
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13 Jul 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting a Minister to attend the Decarbonising Heat in Homes inquiry session
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13 Jul 2021 From committee Letter to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury requesting a Minister to attend a session on Decarbonising Heat in Homes
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8 Jul 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing declining the invitation to give oral evidence to the Committee’s Decarbonising heat in homes inquiry
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27 May 2021 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive, Octopus Energy, to the Chair relating to decarbonising heat in homes
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13 May 2021 To committee Letter from Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, to the Chair relating to decarbonising heat and Centrica’s hybrid heat pump trial
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27 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy to the Chair in follow up on points from oral evidence on Decarbonising heat in homes
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13 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair regarding the Green Homes Grants Voucher Scheme
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23 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive of E.ON to the Chair in follow up to oral evidence given to the Decarbonising heat in homes inquiry
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23 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Director of Strategy, Cadent Gas, to the Chair in follow up to oral evidence given to the Decarbonising heat in homes inquiry
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23 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair of the Local Government Association Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board to the Chair in follow up to oral evidence given to the Decarbonising heat in homes inquiry
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4 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State regarding the Green Homes Grant
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