Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

What progress he has made on ensuring that (a) new and (b) existing homes are net zero carbon.

We have proposed an ambitious uplift in the energy efficiency of new homes through the Future Homes Standard. These homes will be ‘zero carbon ready’, with the ability to become fully zero carbon homes as the electricity grid decarbonises, without the need for further costly retrofitting work.

The Government is providing funding (including the green homes grant) and making regulatory changes (including consulting on increased minimum standards for the Private Rented Sector) to improve existing homes. Our forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy will set out further actions.