Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
New homes built under the Programme may need expensive retrofitting to meet net-zero standards in...
Recommendation
New homes built under the Programme may need expensive retrofitting to meet net-zero standards in the future. The Department did not set any standards around net-zero for the Programme and relies on housing providers to comply with relevant standards. This lack of foresight when setting up the 2021 programme means that housing providers may need to retrofit the homes they are currently building. The Department has not quantified this potential cost, and we are not convinced by its claim that introducing net-zero standards for the 2021 programme would necessarily have led to housing providers building fewer homes. Housing associations warn that retrofitting their existing stock will increase strain on their funding and resources, potentially limiting future delivery of housing. The Department says that the future homes standard should ensure that homes built after 2025 do not need to be retrofitted. Recommendation: The Department should clearly set out the impact of including net-zero requirements in the next iteration of the Programme.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to set out the impact of including net-zero requirements in the next iteration of the Programme when ministers consider options for a successor programme; however, they note that the 2021 programme incorporated the National Model Design Code standard and that homes must meet existing and future building regulations.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. requirements at the point that ministers consider options for a successor programme. 1. The Affordable Homes Programme since 2015, National Audit Office 2022, p12, para 21 2. Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy, December 2022, see the relevant section on ‘A planning system for communities’ found here. However, the government notes that it has already taken steps to ensure that house building under the 2021 programme supports net zero objectives. The 2021 programme incorporated the National Model Design Code standard, The code sets out design considerations which local planning authorities will be expected to take into account, including recommendations on sustainability and energy efficiency. This has incentivised providers to build homes to increasingly higher environmental standards that actively respond to the changing climate. All Strategic Partners for the 2021 programme were awarded funding on the basis of their commitment to the code. Homes delivered through the 2021 programme will also have to meet existing and future building regulations; this includes the Future Homes Standard when it comes into force.