We support the intention of the Government’s proposals to future-proof new build homes with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. The Government’s manifesto commitment for a £3.8 billion capital Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is positive. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure effective implementation.
Key messages
- Across the country, councils are delivering on our shared ambitions to accelerate housebuilding by, investing in, and building affordable, high quality, sustainable and energy-efficient homes. Council housebuilding has incorporated high environmental standards that also help low income households achieve affordable energy bills.
- We support the intention of the Government’s proposals to future-proof new build homes with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. The Government’s manifesto commitment for a £3.8 billion capital Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is positive. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure effective implementation.
- However, as the residential sector alone accounts for an estimated 18 per cent of UK emissions, there is a huge potential to drive carbon reduction here. We would like to see the Government proposals go further.
- The consultation on the Future Homes Standard proposes two options to uplift energy efficiency standards and requirements. The standards proposed in Government’s preferred option are too low and will require costly retrofitting to those dwellings in the future.
- Local authorities are leading the way towards achieving net zero carbon, increasingly with ambitious plans to achieve this before the Government’s 2050 target. The Government has proposed to amend the Planning and Energy Act 2008 to restrict local planning authorities from setting higher energy efficiency standards for new homes. Councils have been driving forward housing standards and sustainable development and they should not be restricted in their ambitions.
- In addition, the National Infrastructure Strategy should consider the case for capital funding for the delivery of new or retro-fitted environmentally friendly homes and commercial buildings. As a significant majority of the homes that will be in place by 2050 have already been built, this should include retro-fitting existing homes as well as new-builds.
- As part of our sector-led improvement work, the LGA offers a wide range of support to help councils address the issues of climate change and environmental sustainability. This includes support from Local Partnerships, including their Re:fit programme helping councils implement energy efficiency and local energy generation measures to their buildings or their estate, to reduce carbon emissions and achieve savings. Over 250 organisations have already engaged Re:fit.
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