Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Scottish Government’s proposed EPC reform for ensure that EPCs are an effective indicator of (a) energy efficiency, (b) heating emissions and (c) cost; and what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on EPCs in England of that proposed EPC reform.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) currently uses an energy cost based rating to encourage the implementation of energy performance improvements that reduce running costs. We are aware of the Scottish Government’s proposal to increase the number of metrics on the EPC. We have consulted recently on regulatory proposals that would use EPCs to support improvement to homes. In these consultations, we have sought views on what EPC metric or metrics are most aligned with our overall policy goals. This included a cost-based rating (Energy Efficiency Rating) and a carbon-based rating (Environmental Impact Rating) alongside seeking views on other options. Furthermore, we are continuing to deliver the commitments in our EPC Action Plan, published last year, to maximise the effectiveness of EPCs in improving the energy performance of buildings.