Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support small and medium-sized housebuilders, particularly those that are building homes that are well insulated and airtight.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government recognises the important role of SME housebuilders in delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes and we welcome the innovation shown by those that drive energy efficiency improvements with high levels of insulation and airtightness. The government also wants to go further, and we are committed to introducing new legislation through the Future Homes Standard (FHS) this year which will see all new homes future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting consumer energy bills.

We are actively engaging with SMEs and the wider sector to understand the impact and ensure the standards remain deliverable. Once the FHS is published, there will be a transitional period to give housebuilders time to prepare and adjust.

SMEs will play a crucial role in delivering 1.5m homes and we are committed to supporting the sector. In December 2024, the government announced a £700m extension to the Home Building Fund which provides loans and finance to SME and will support the delivery of 12,000 homes. In addition, SME housebuilders can access lower-cost lending through the ENABLE Build scheme which was allocated an additional £1 billion guarantees capacity at the Budget on 30 October 2024.

Found: Members present: Baroness Scott of Needham Market (The Chair); Lord Farmer; Baroness Featherstone; Lord Fink

Found: Members present: Baroness Scott of Needham Market (The Chair); Lord Farmer; Baroness Featherstone; Lord Fink