Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to incentivize contractors and service providers to operate in underserved areas with high demand for energy efficiency upgrades.

The Government recognises the need for a skilled, competent and robust supply chain to deliver the improvements to buildings necessary to meet our net zero and fuel poverty targets.

We have invested in regional pilots through the Local Net Zero Hubs which are trialling regional solutions to retrofit supply chain challenges. Over £28 million has been committed to support skills in the energy efficiency and low carbon heating sectors since 2020. The Regional Skills Pilots is a £3.5 million investment in the retrofit skills supply chain across the English regions. The pilots support the five local net zero hubs to work with local delivery partners to identify and test solutions to regional supply chain challenges.

We will set out further details in the Warm Homes Plan.