Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish her Department's response to the consultation entitled The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published on 13 November 2023.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024, and a Government response has not yet been issued. We fully support the need for low carbon homes, fit for a net zero future. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and will publish the Government response in due course.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental impact of poor home insulation; and if he will make it his policy to establish a local-authority-led street-by-street retrofit programme to insulate homes.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Energy efficiency improvements remain the best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term, contributing to the reduction of energy bills, as well as reducing carbon emissions in line with Net Zero.
The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.
We will announce further policy detail in due course.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential (a) impact of agricultural run off on and (b) merits of introducing a water protection zone for the river Wye.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The River Wye is one of Britain’s most important, iconic rivers. We share concerns about its declining condition and the impact of agricultural pollution.
Cleaning up our rivers is one of this Government's top priorities. We are working closely with the Welsh Government to tackle agriculture pollution and restore the river's health.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to require landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to a EPC C rating.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This government is committed to reducing the number of fuel poor households in England. We will require landlords to improve their properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the social care system on the performance of the NHS; and if he will hold discussions with his opposition counterparts on measures to improve the funding and delivery of social care.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The health and social care systems are facing significant challenges. The Government is committed to tackling the multiple factors contributing to delayed discharges. These include processes within hospitals and between hospitals and other health and care services, and the availability of appropriate care packages. These care packages are commissioned by both the National Health Service and by adult social care partners.
By developing local working partnerships between the Government, the NHS, and social care, we will ensure that people are not stuck in hospital beds when they are well enough to go home.