Climate change is an urgent issue that affects each and every one of us, and I am proud to represent a constituency that shares my passion for combating this global crisis. I am fully committed to reducing emissions and working towards a greener future for our nation. I want to share with you the latest developments and initiatives aimed at making our homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, which is crucial in our journey towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Buildings are responsible for around 23% of our national emissions. It is imperative that we take decisive action to decarbonise our homes and buildings to address climate change effectively. The Government recognises this fact and has set out ambitious plans to upgrade the energy performance of our homes, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

One of the cornerstone initiatives is the Future Homes Standard, set to be implemented from 2025. Under this standard, new homes will be required to produce at least 75% fewer carbon dioxide emissions through the use of low carbon heating and high fabric standards. To support this transition, the Government has allocated £6 billion from 2025 to 2028, in addition to the £6.6 billion provided in this Parliament, to upgrade 300,000 existing homes. The Energy Efficiency Taskforce will spearhead these efforts, ensuring energy efficiency across the entire economy.

I also was delighted to welcome the publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, which set out significant steps in improving the energy efficiency of our buildings. From 2035, all new heating systems installed in UK homes will either use low-carbon technologies, such as electronic heat pumps, or will support other new technologies, such as hydrogen-ready boilers, where the Government is confident fuel can be clean and green. This will support 175,000 green skilled jobs by 2030 and 240,000 green skilled jobs by 2035, and in turn deliver £6 billion Gross Value Added by 2030.

The Government has set a target that by 2035 as many homes as possible will use low-carbon technologies, such as electric heat pumps, or will support new technologies such as hydrogen-ready boilers, where the Government is confident clean and green fuel can be supplied.

More can be read about heat pumps and boilers here:

https://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/heat-pumps-and-boilers

In addition, as included in the Clean Growth Strategy, the Government aspires to see as many homes as possible achieve an Energy Performance Certificate Band C by 2035. This is not only cost-effective and practical but also essential in our journey to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. I appreciate that the Government has taken a more pragmatic and proportionate approach by eliminating onerous energy efficiency requirements that required forced alterations.

In line with our commitment to greener homes, the Government has recently announced investments totalling £1.8 billion through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant, and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This investment will result in upgrades to over 115,000 homes across England, enhancing their energy efficiency and saving residents money on their bills.

To further support constituents in achieving greener homes, the Simple Energy Advice website offers information on available financial support for energy efficiency measures, such as insulation. It's essential to explore these resources to make our homes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly:

https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/grants

Businesses will also play a vital role in reducing emissions. The Climate Change Agreements Scheme offers reduced rates of Climate Change Levy, amounting to £255 million per year across 53 industrial sectors. In return for meeting energy and carbon reduction targets, businesses are encouraged to make improvements, including enhancing the insulation of their premises.

 

The Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme, which was formerly known as the ECO+ scheme, is expected to insulate 300,000 homes. In the coming months, the Government will set scheme targets in legislation, and yearly targets will be established to ensure rapid progress. This initiative is set to save UK households around £310 a year on their energy bills.

Over 3.1 million home improvements have been made through the ECO Scheme since 2013, and the ECO+ is set to increase the total amount of insulation and other improvements across the country. The new scheme will run from spring 2023 until 2026.

You may be able to access this scheme if your residence meets certain criteria:

• It possesses an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating ranging from D to G. Please verify your EPC rating.
• It falls within Council Tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland or Wales. Please check your Council Tax band.
• This support is open to homeowners, landlords, and tenants alike.

Each household is expected to benefit from £1,500 of spending on improving energy efficiency measures. Currently, only 42% of homes in England are rated EPC C or higher, making this new scheme an essential step to ensure energy independence.

This news comes shortly after the announcement that an additional £1.5 billion funding will be spent as part of the government’s £6.6 billion Heat and Building Strategy, which aims to reach a nationwide carbon net zero by 2050.

The scheme covers the installation of insulation and low-carbon heating, such as:

• Internal walls insulation
• Loft insulation
• Room in a roof insulation
• Air source heat pumps

 

The journey towards greener homes and a more sustainable future is well underway. The Government is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and these initiatives represent significant strides towards that goal. I am encouraged by the progress we have made, and I pledge to continue to work to make our homes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future for the United Kingdom and leave a healthier planet for generations to come.