Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of rural depopulation on the energy efficiency and maintenance of housing stock in remote areas.

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe and we are aware of the complexities involved in decarbonising rural and off-gas grid homes.

This government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings.

Our Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Department has partnered with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. Details of the plan will be published soon.