Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to respond to the consultation entitled Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales, which closed on 8 January 2021; and whether he plans to increase the minimum energy efficiency standards required for (a) rented and (b) leased non-residential buildings.

We will require private landlords to make improvements to their properties by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills. We will consider the evidence gathered as part of the 2020 consultation as we design the policy around increased Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

The Government is committed to decarbonising non domestic buildings and is exploring the most appropriate way to do so, including through Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards where evidence gathered as part of the 2019 and 2021 consultations will continue to inform policy development.