Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Warm Homes Plan

Tuesday 12 November 2024 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has committed 3.4 billion over three years for home upgrades as part of the warm homes plan.
  • The warm homes plan includes raising minimum energy efficiency standards to lift 1 million renters out of fuel poverty.
  • The Department is working to provide additional support for vulnerable people with long-term illnesses through the warm home discount.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Dixon Lab Shipley
Housing Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of action to address the poor insulation in homes, particularly given that 64% of Shipley's homes have an energy performance certificate rating of D or below.

Question

What steps he is taking to introduce a warm homes plan. Given that 64% of homes in Shipley have an energy performance certificate rating of D or below, I very much welcome the Government's commitment to the warm homes plan.

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are committed to an ambitious warm homes plan, which includes upgrading homes across the country through new insulation and low carbon heating. The Government has committed £3.4 billion over three years for home upgrades. We have also rolled out the warm homes local grant and the warm homes social housing fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide concrete details on supporting local charities or uplifting the warm home discount for people with long-term illnesses.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Housing Energy
Context

A constituent named Dionne lives in poorly insulated social housing and had insulation removed due to mould, now facing her second winter without proper insulation.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that the warm homes plan will introduce tough new standards to ensure that social housing providers get on and insulate their housing stock?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

Yes, absolutely. We have announced plans to lift 1 million renters out of fuel poverty by raising minimum energy efficiency standards and will unlock £1 billion investment for social home upgrades through the national wealth fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specify details on tough new standards for social housing insulation.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Sadik Al-Hassan Lab North Somerset
NHS Energy
Context

Many constituents have concerns that the warm homes discount does not adequately support those with long-term illnesses who require higher energy usage.

Question

Will the Minister share whether the Department has any plans to look into uplifting the warm home discount for participants with relevant long-term illnesses?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We recognise that vulnerable people, including those with high energy usage due to long-term illnesses, often bear a greater burden when energy prices rise. We are working with energy companies and charities to provide additional support this winter and beyond.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specify plans for uplifting the warm home discount specifically for people with relevant long-term illnesses.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Anna Dixon Lab Shipley
Community Security Energy
Context

The charity Groundwork provides a 'warm homes healthy people' scheme to install energy-efficiency measures and offer advice on energy bills.

Question

Does the Minister agree that local charities need support to continue to help those who are most in need this winter?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We must do everything we can to support vulnerable households, including through the warm home discount for 3.3 million households and additional support from energy suppliers and charities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific commitments to local charities beyond existing measures.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Housing Local Government
Context

Concerns about targeting insulation in rural areas to maximize reduction in energy usage for older homes.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we particularly need a comprehensive warm homes plan in rural areas to identify very old homes and ensure that insulation is targeted?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We will ensure upgrades in every part of the country, working with combined authorities, local government and devolved Administrations to deliver necessary home upgrades across all regions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific details on a comprehensive warm homes plan for rural areas.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Housing Energy
Context

Homeowners who used the green homes grant for spray foam insulation now face issues with unmortgageable homes due to removal and repair costs.

Question

Will the Minister consider measures to support such homeowners as part of the warm homes plan?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are aware that many households have faced challenges with upgrades. We are working hard to raise standards and build consumer confidence in home improvement schemes, which were not adequately regulated previously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific measures for support of affected homeowners.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Economy Housing
Context

The MP criticizes cuts to winter fuel payments and pensioners' cost of living payment, citing a manifesto promise not fulfilled.

Question

When will this Government do a single thing for people facing fuel poverty?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are working across the country to tackle fuel poverty, but I remind the hon. Member that fuel payments are devolved and it is time for the Scottish Government to fix their situation with a larger budget.

Not addressed: The response shifted responsibility to the Scottish Government without addressing the question of action on fuel poverty at a national level.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire
Housing Energy
Context

The MP advocates for an emergency home insulation programme this winter to prevent people from having to choose between heating and eating.

Question

Does the Minister agree that an emergency home insulation programme is necessary so that people do not have to face the choice between heating and eating?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are hitting the ground running with home insulations through our warm homes local grant and warm homes social housing fund, targeting people this winter to deliver the biggest ever upgrade.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not explicitly agree on an emergency programme or provide specifics for it.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email