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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require new houses to be built to Passivhaus standards.

Passivhaus represents an example of innovative and efficient design that is leading the way in delivering highly efficient, low carbon buildings and stimulating the skills and supply chains that are needed to bring about a net zero future.

We recognise the fact that some homebuilders are already building to standards above the current Building Regulations or installing low carbon heating systems. However, it is important we strike a balance by setting standards that enable all parts of industry to be ready to build homes at scale that are fit for a zero-carbon future.

Future standards next year will set our new homes on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and towards more clean, secure energy. These homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. No further energy efficiency retrofit work will be necessary to enable them to become zero-carbon over time as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.