A Bill is being introduced into both Houses of Parliament this week which will ramp up the pressure on the private rented sector to become even more energy efficient.
The Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill is described by its supporters as being vital for the achievement of net zero – a buzzword term which means that the amount of carbon dioxide added by the country is no more than the amount taken away as a result of significant reductions in emissions.
Backers of the Bill say it will help the government see that all private rental homes are EPC band C or below by 2028, and that all homes – including owner occupied ones – should be EPC band C by 2035. In addition mortgage lenders should ensure an EPC band C average for their portfolios by 2030.
Leading for the Bill in the House of Lords, Lord Foster says: “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.”
And leading in the House of Commons, Sir David Amess adds: “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.”
The measure is backed by the Sustainable Energy Association and its chief executive, Jade Lewis, comments: “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.”
