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Select Committee · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Local government and the path to net zero

Status: Closed Opened: 10 Mar 2021 Closed: 24 Jan 2022 18 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

The aim of the inquiry is to scrutinise the government’s plans to make all new homes “zero carbon ready” by 2025, through the introduction of the Future Homes Standards, and to explore how local government can help the UK to reduce its carbon emissions to “net zero” by 2050, including by incentivising and decarbonising public … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Local government and the path to net zero HC 34 29 Oct 2021 26 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
14 Recommendation Fifth Report - Local government and the… Not Addressed

The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme proved a disappointing failure, and it is important that...

The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme proved a disappointing failure, and it is important that the reasons for its failure–that it was created too quickly, had high management and administration costs, and did not last long enough–should shape future schemes. Above all both the voucher scheme and the previous Green … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government response provided is an exact copy of the committee's recommendation text and does not offer any substantive response or commitment.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
24 Recommendation Fifth Report - Local government and the… Not Addressed

In line with its commitment in the Heat and Buildings Strategy, we urge the Government...

In line with its commitment in the Heat and Buildings Strategy, we urge the Government to immediately consult local authorities on how it can better support them to take advantage of the funding available for other types of low-carbon smart local energy systems. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's response outlines existing programs and support for local authorities in developing smart energy systems, but it does not commit to the recommended immediate consultation with local authorities on how to better support them with funding for other low-carbon energy systems.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
25 Conclusion Fifth Report - Local government and the… Not Addressed

Besides buildings, transport and energy, there are many areas where local government can make a...

Besides buildings, transport and energy, there are many areas where local government can make a profound contribution to the UK meeting its net-zero target. We have highlighted waste management, procurement and local leadership, but there are many more besides. It is the responsibility of central government, in partnership with local … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government response acknowledges the diverse roles of local authorities in contributing to net zero, particularly in transport, but does not address the committee's conclusion regarding central government's responsibility to enumerate all areas for local climate action or ensure proper funding.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
26 Recommendation Fifth Report - Local government and the… Not Addressed

As already recommended, the Government must immediately consult local government on the contents of a...

As already recommended, the Government must immediately consult local government on the contents of a draft net zero delivery framework setting out the relative roles and responsibilities of local and central government. It must also commit to properly funding local authority climate action and provide assurance that the UK Shared … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government references previous responses for local authority climate funding but does not address the recommendation to consult on a net zero delivery framework. While it describes the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it does not provide explicit assurance that it will fund schemes of the …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
20 Sep 2021 Eddie Hughes · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Emma Fraser · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Emma Fraser · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ffiona Hesketh · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Siobhan Jones · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, The Lord Callanan · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy View ↗
15 Sep 2021 The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben · Climate Change Committee View ↗
13 Sep 2021 Cllr Peter Schwier · Essex County Council, Cllr Sarah Rouse · District Councils Network, Nick Hibberd · Brighton & Hove City Council, Professor Janette Webb · University of Edinburgh, Richard Blyth · Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Xavier Brice · Sustrans View ↗
12 Jul 2021 Brian Robson · Northern Housing Consortium, Catherine Evans · Stonewater, John Alker · UK Green Building Council, Michael Lewis · E.ON UK, Nicola Pitts · Independent Networks Association, Richard Smith · National House Building Council (NHBC) View ↗
21 Jun 2021 Andrew Forth · Royal Institute of British Architects, Cllr Rachel Blake · Local Government Association, Colm Britchfield · E3G, Philippa Borrowman · Green Alliance, Polly Billington · UK100, Polly Cook · ADEPT View ↗

Who gave evidence

25 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Andrew Forth · Head of Policy and Public Affairs Royal Institute of British Architects 1
Brian Robson · Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs Northern Housing Consortium 1
Catherine Evans · Director of Assets Operations Stonewater 1
Cllr Peter Schwier · Climate Czar Essex County Council 1
Cllr Rachel Blake · Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board Local Government Association 1
Cllr Sarah Rouse · Enhancing Quality of Life Board Member District Councils Network 1
Colm Britchfield · Researcher E3G 1
Eddie Hughes · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Emma Fraser · Director, Housing Markets and Strategy Team Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 1
Emma Fraser · Housing Markets and Strategy Director Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Ffiona Hesketh · Deputy Director for Home Decarbonisation Policy a… Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy 1
John Alker · Director of Policy & Places UK Green Building Council 1
Michael Lewis · Chief Executive Officer E.ON UK 1
Nick Hibberd · Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Cult… Brighton & Hove City Council 1
Nicola Pitts · Executive Director Independent Networks Association 1
Philippa Borrowman · Policy Adviser Green Alliance 1
Polly Billington · Chief Executive Officer UK100 1
Polly Cook · Chief Officer Sustainable Energy and Air Quality … ADEPT 1
Professor Janette Webb · Professor of Sociology of Organisation University of Edinburgh 1
Richard Blyth · Head of Policy Practice and Research Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) 1
Richard Smith · Head of Standards, Innovation and Risk National House Building Council (NHBC) 1
Siobhan Jones · Director of Local Government and Communities Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 1
The Lord Callanan · Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Respo… Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 1
The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben · Chair Climate Change Committee 1
Xavier Brice · CEO Sustrans 1