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
28 Recommendations
11 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
16 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 24 events
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
Decarbonising heat in homes
Ian Rippin · Microgeneration Certification scheme Juliet Phillips · E3G Marcus Shepheard · Climate Change Committee Zoe Guijarro · Citizens Advice
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
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
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
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
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
3 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government says it has published its response to the Heat Networks Market Framework consultation, outlining proposals for regulation and appointing Ofgem as the heat networks regulator to ensure fair pricing and reliable supply.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The Government states it will continue to make the case for moving quickly to Net Zero and expects social housing landlords to help tenants to understand why works are required to their homes and the benefits of the transition, and commits to considering a long-term regulatory standard to improve social housing to EPC band C, alongside measures to decarbonise the housing stock in line with emissions targets, and provides funding.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government states they are taking a range of measures to ensure the market can deliver 600,000 annual heat pump installations by 2028, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a market mechanism for low carbon heating from 2024, and the Future Homes Standard from 2025.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The Government will run a Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition in 2022 worth up to £30 million to ramp up domestic manufacture of heat pumps.
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The Government states it is already working closely with industry to ensure high-quality training is available and mentions coordinated action through the Electrification of Heat Task Group and the upcoming Green Jobs Delivery Group, along with examples of industry investment in training.
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18 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government states it is investing £550 million to expand Skills Bootcamps for green skills and working with local authorities to ensure training is widely available.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Conclusion Accepted
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 government responds by outlining existing initiatives and groups they have in place, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Electrification of Heat Task Group, a skills action plan, a skills training competition, and industry investment.
Department for Business and Trade
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24 Conclusion Accepted
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
The government states Ofgem already regulates the heating sector and outlines plans to regulate heat networks, including consumer protections, and mentions TrustMark registration for installers, suggesting existing mechanisms address the concern about a 'one stop shop'.
Department for Business and Trade
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26 Conclusion Accepted
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 is already working with regional government, providing funding through schemes like the National Skills Fund, and through the Shared Prosperity Fund, to invest in training and support SMEs in energy efficient and low carbon technologies.
Department for Business and Trade
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34 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government agrees further action is needed and says progress has already been made to raise public awareness, pointing to the 'Together for our Planet' campaign and increased investment into the digital service, Simple Energy Advice.
Department for Business and Trade
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36 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government acknowledges the role of local governments, mentions the Local Net Zero Forum, continuation of the Local Net Zero Programme, and highlights funding boosts to schemes delivered in partnership with local authorities, including specific funding amounts for various decarbonisation schemes, as well as increased funding for local authorities.
Department for Business and Trade
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37 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government states that it has been working closely with regional government representatives to attract investment within the supply chain, providing funding through schemes like the National Skills Fund, and supporting local governments through the Net Zero Innovation Programme.
Department for Business and Trade
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38 Recommendation Accepted
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 states that the Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero Strategy, published in October 2021, already set out joint milestones and metrics jointly owned between DLUHC and BEIS for decarbonising heating in homes, and they report on progress annually.
Department for Business and Trade
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39 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The government states that the Prime Minister chairs the Climate Action Strategy Committee (CASC) and the COP26 President chairs the Climate Action Implementation Committee, and that they respond annually to the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Progress Report on Mitigation, including a comprehensive set of answers to the ‘Joint Recommendations’ each year.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 39 of 28 classified

Total 28 recs + 11 conclusions
Correspondence 16 letters
1 Mar 2022 To committee Letter from the COP President on decarbonisation of domestic heat
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9 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from the Chair to the COP26 President on the decarbonisation of heat in homes
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8 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing on policies for decarbonising heat in homes
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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 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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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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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 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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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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4 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State regarding the Green Homes Grant
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