Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Housing: Energy Efficiency

Tuesday 21 May 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The social housing decarbonisation fund is upgrading social housing stock below EPC C to meet the standard, with over 1 billion committed and another 1.25 billion pledged for 2025 to 2028.
  • The level of insulation in social housing has risen from 24% in 2010 to 70% today.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to visit Edinburgh to discuss energy efficiency with the Scottish Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Housing Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the steps being taken to improve energy efficiency in social housing.

Question

What steps she is taking to help improve energy efficiency in social housing?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

The social housing decarbonisation fund is upgrading to EPC C a significant amount of the social housing stock that is currently below that standard. We have already committed over £1 billion of Government funding, with a further £1.25 billion already committed for 2025 to 2028.

Answered
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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Housing Energy
Context

The MP is questioning the Minister about the increase in insulation levels and its significance.

Question

By how much has the Minister increased the level of insulation, and what significance does she attach to it?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

The amount of social housing that is well insulated has gone up from just 24% in 2010 to 70% today. For housing overall, we have gone from just 14% in 2010 to 50% today.

Answered
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Q3 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Climate Energy
Context

The MP is questioning the effectiveness of the social housing decarbonisation fund.

Question

I welcome, through the Minister, the admission by the Secretary of State last week finally that this flagship scheme is failing, although the words she used were that it has been 'a bit slow on the uptake'. They have had 14 years to devise the most cost-effective way of reducing carbon emissions and people's bills, making homes warmer and creating good new skilled jobs. When will we have a scheme that actually works?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

We do have schemes that are working. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a £1 billion Great British installation scheme, which aims to upgrade around 300,000 of the country's least energy-efficient homes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner's critique on previous failures is not directly addressed.

How: Working With Partners

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Q4 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Climate Scotland
Context

The MP is highlighting the Scottish Government's efforts to improve energy efficiency in buildings.

Question

With the Climate Change Committee stating that the Scottish Government's heat in buildings Bill could become the template for the UK, helping Scotland to decarbonise faster than anywhere else in the UK, would the Minister like to visit the Scottish Government in Edinburgh? I can arrange that for her, so that she can see climate leadership in action.

Answer from Amanda Solloway

I reiterate that energy efficiency is incredibly important to us on the Government Benches and to the Government. I would be happy to come on a visit to Edinburgh. Indeed, I have already visited there.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner's critique of UK government's performance in comparison to Scotland is not directly addressed.

How: Deflection

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Q5 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Housing Energy
Context

The MP is criticising the UK Government's failure to improve energy efficiency in England.

Question

Since 2007, per person, the SNP has built 40% more homes than Tory England and 70% more homes than Labour Wales and ensured 65% of the Scottish social rented sector has an EPC rating of C or above. Insulation levels in Scotland are way higher than in England. It is clear that the UK Government have materially failed to abate the demand side of the energy system to any meaningful extent. What will the Minister do, in the few weeks they have left in office, to atone for this glaring betrayal of bill payers?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

Unlike the hon. Gentleman, we have not abandoned our targets, and there has been good progress and improved household energy efficiency. Around half of our homes—48% in England—have now reached the Government's 2035 target of achieving an EPC rating of C, up from 14% in 2010.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner's critique on current performance is not directly addressed.

How: Working With Partners

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