Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
In written evidence, the LGA told us that there was a long-term funding gap in...
Conclusion
In written evidence, the LGA told us that there was a long-term funding gap in government’s ambitions to decarbonise housing. In February 2020, the LGA’s Climate Change Survey 2020 found that nine out of 10 councils had declared a climate emergency and 80% had set a carbon neutral target.40 But the survey found that local authorities faced numerous barriers to tackling climate change. Ninety-six per cent of respondents reported that funding was a barrier to their local authority tackling climate change, and 93% that legislation or regulation was a barrier. Lack of workforce capacity or a lack of skills was also a cause for concern, with 88% and 78% of local authorities in the survey respectively reporting this as a barrier to tackling climate change. Respondents who noted legislation or regulation as a barrier highlighted a range of issues including building regulations not being environmentally rigorous and that the National Planning Policy Framework or planning regulations were insufficiently ambitious.41
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6: PAC conclusion: The Department has not sufficiently engaged with local authorities on their role in the achievement of net zero across the UK. 6: PAC recommendation: Government should respond with a coherent National Fiscal and Policy Framework. This should set out Government’s national responsibilities. Local Authorities local and regional responsibilities and be clear how government proposes to work with local authorities to secure the funding, skills, resources and outcomes required to deliver Net Zero. 6. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ta rget implementation date: Autumn 2021 6. 2 The department agrees that there should be a clearer statement of the respective responsibilities at na tional, regional and local level, and of how it proposes to work with local authorities. 6. 3 The department already works closely with local government and the role of local government is be ing taken into account in sector strategies and individual programmes, including, in some cases, with local go vernment taking a direct role in delivery of national programmes. The department will build on this ongoing work to provide a more comprehensive statement in the Net Zero Strategy.