A new Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings bill is set to be introduced into both houses of parliament, but exactly what does this bill offer?
Well, the ultimate goal of the bill is to help the UK achieve net zero by 2050, while also spurring greater investment by industry and lowering fuel bills for end-users. It achieves this in numerous ways.
The bill is set to be introduced this week, with it supporting the policy aims of the UK Government. Those policies include:
- All homes should achieve an EPC rating of at least C by 2035, where practical, cost effective and affordable.
- All privately rented homes should achieve an EPC rating of at least C by 2028.
- Mortgage lenders should ensure an EPC band C average for their portfolios by 2030
- The Secretary of State should take reasonable steps to assist owner occupiers to achieve EPC band C
- Non-domestic commercial lettings are to achieve EPC band B by 2030
The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) has been a big proponent of the upcoming bill, with the organisation calling on MPs and Lords from all sides of parliament to come together to support the bill. The association notes that it has had constructive discussions with officials within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is hopeful of Government support.
Government support for the bill should make its passage through both houses of parliament relatively straightforward, and would be one of the biggest commitments to improving energy efficiency standards that the UK has made thus far. That’s because while it’s all well and good to strive for net zero by 2050, it’s important to make solid commitments on how to achieve that ultimate goal.
Lord Foster, a leading proponent of the bill in the House of Lords, as well as a world-renowned architect, commented, “I have been campaigning on this bill for over two years: it puts in place Government policy, so I call upon Ministers to support it and give time for it to receive a 2nd Reading in the House of Lords. This is essential for the achievement of net zero targets.”
Sir David Amess, a Conservative Party MP is one of the leading supporters in the House of Commons, he added, “This bill will help my constituents to have lower fuel bills and it will help the Government to achieve its net zero targets. I hope Ministers will support it.”
Jade Lewis, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Association, concluded, “We are incredibly hopeful that the Minimum Energy Performance Bill will receive the support it rightfully deserves so that it can deliver a lasting impact on the energy efficiency of homes up and down the country whilst addressing key public interest concerns such as unemployment, fuel poverty and climate change.
“The SEA is proud to have campaigned for this policy certainty over the past few years and I believe that we are closer than ever to the breakthrough we have been working towards.”