NEA response to The Future Homes Standard: changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for new dwellings

As we move towards decarbonising the whole economy, a crucial element of reducing emissions are homes. Currently existing homes are improved via the Energy Company Obligation (the only GB wide home energy efficiency programme), the Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (PRS MEES) and social housing standards under the Decent Homes Standard. As well as reducing emissions, these policies are designed to contribute to both the England only statutory fuel poverty target (to ensure that all fuel poor households in England have an Energy Performance Certificate of Band C or above by 2030, alongside interim milestones) and the overall aim set out in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy for all UK homes to reach EPC Band C or above by 2035. Upgrading the UK’s existing buildings to meet these targets comes with multiple co-benefits. The BEIS Select Committee identified several of these in their 2019 report on energy efficiency: