Select Committee · Business and Trade Committee

Decarbonising heat in homes

Status: Closed Opened: 2 Oct 2020 Closed: 18 May 2022 28 recommendations 11 conclusions 1 report

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has launched an inquiry examining the path to decarbonising heating in homes. The BEIS Committee will examine the Government’s ‘Buildings and Heat Strategy’, due in November, and investigate the policies, priorities and timelines which are needed to decarbonise heating in residential buildings and help ensure the UK … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in homes HC 1038 3 Feb 2022 39 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

14 items
3 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

To successfully decarbonise domestic heating in time to deliver net zero by 2050, the Government...

To successfully decarbonise domestic heating in time to deliver net zero by 2050, the Government must provide clear, strategic direction and guidance. The Government must now focus on providing a coherent policy environment that encourages policy consistency and certainty in the transition to low carbon domestic heat. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government says it has published its response to the Heat Networks Market Framework consultation, outlining proposals for regulation and appointing Ofgem as the heat networks regulator to ensure fair pricing and reliable supply.
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Department for Business and Trade
7 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

Furthermore, the Government must rapidly develop its data collection and records on the location of...

Furthermore, the Government must rapidly develop its data collection and records on the location of heat networks, and statistics about their use. Without a detailed understanding of how many heat networks are operational in the UK and where they 54 Decarbonising Heat in Homes are located, the Government cannot effectively … Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government states it will continue to make the case for moving quickly to Net Zero and expects social housing landlords to help tenants to understand why works are required to their homes and the benefits of the transition, and commits to considering a long-term …
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Department for Business and Trade
10 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

We acknowledge that the Government wants to give industry the time to develop its supply...

We acknowledge that the Government wants to give industry the time to develop its supply chains; however, this appears to be to the detriment of new build homeowners, who will have to pay to retrofit their homes. It is unnecessary to wait until 2025 to implement the Future Homes Standard. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states they are taking a range of measures to ensure the market can deliver 600,000 annual heat pump installations by 2028, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a market mechanism for low carbon heating from 2024, and the Future Homes Standard from 2025.
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Department for Business and Trade
15 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

We ask the Government to set out in response to this report the intended milestones...

We ask the Government to set out in response to this report the intended milestones and targets it has in place to ensure that the UK meets its 2028 target and what funding it will put in place to ensure that each of these milestones is met. The Government must … Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government will run a Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition in 2022 worth up to £30 million to ramp up domestic manufacture of heat pumps.
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Department for Business and Trade
16 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

To ensure that the UK does not fall off course in achieving its targets for...

To ensure that the UK does not fall off course in achieving its targets for carbon emissions reductions, we recommend that the Government works with industry to consider how the Climate Change Committee’s advice to deliver 900,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 can be achieved. Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government states it is already working closely with industry to ensure high-quality training is available and mentions coordinated action through the Electrification of Heat Task Group and the upcoming Green Jobs Delivery Group, along with examples of industry investment in training.
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Department for Business and Trade
18 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

The Secretary of State’s assertion that the target to deploy 600,000 heat pumps will “have...

The Secretary of State’s assertion that the target to deploy 600,000 heat pumps will “have to be delivered” highlights the Government’s determination but there is still a lack of specific, strategic action on its part to ensure that low carbon heat targets are delivered. The Government must set out a … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it is investing £550 million to expand Skills Bootcamps for green skills and working with local authorities to ensure training is widely available.
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Department for Business and Trade
20 Conclusion Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

To meet the Government’s targets for decarbonising heat, significant action needs to be taken to...

To meet the Government’s targets for decarbonising heat, significant action needs to be taken to innovate and develop low carbon heating markets and in bringing these markets to scale. Scaling up the markets for low carbon heating technologies also offers opportunities for cost reductions. A heat decarbonisation sector deal would … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government responds by outlining existing initiatives and groups they have in place, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Electrification of Heat Task Group, a skills action plan, a skills training competition, and industry investment.
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Department for Business and Trade
24 Conclusion Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

At present there is no company that operates as a “one stop shop” where customers...

At present there is no company that operates as a “one stop shop” where customers can procure all the services required for a successful retrofit installation and change to a low carbon heating system. Consideration should be given to project management upskilling with regards to whole system and energy efficiency … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states Ofgem already regulates the heating sector and outlines plans to regulate heat networks, including consumer protections, and mentions TrustMark registration for installers, suggesting existing mechanisms address the concern about a 'one stop shop'.
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Department for Business and Trade
26 Conclusion Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

The Green Homes Grant was an important and welcomed initiative.

The Green Homes Grant was an important and welcomed initiative. However, the way in which the Government designed the Green Homes Grant, both as a short- term stimulus instead of a long-term national infrastructure project and as a hastily developed, outsourced scheme, was misguided. It is vital that the lessons … Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government is already working with regional government, providing funding through schemes like the National Skills Fund, and through the Shared Prosperity Fund, to invest in training and support SMEs in energy efficient and low carbon technologies.
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Department for Business and Trade
34 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

The Government should establish a national consumer awareness campaign that, as a minimum, informs the...

The Government should establish a national consumer awareness campaign that, as a minimum, informs the public on why the decarbonisation of heat is needed, what low carbon heating solutions are available and the changes that consumers may have to make in their homes to install low carbon heating. The Government … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees further action is needed and says progress has already been made to raise public awareness, pointing to the 'Together for our Planet' campaign and increased investment into the digital service, Simple Energy Advice.
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Department for Business and Trade
36 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

We were pleased to see in the Heat and Buildings Strategy the Government’s recognition of...

We were pleased to see in the Heat and Buildings Strategy the Government’s recognition of the role that local authorities play in the decarbonisation of domestic heat and the net zero agenda as a whole. The Government must avoid setting unfunded mandates for local and regional governments to deliver its … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the role of local governments, mentions the Local Net Zero Forum, continuation of the Local Net Zero Programme, and highlights funding boosts to schemes delivered in partnership with local authorities, including specific funding amounts for various decarbonisation schemes, as well as increased …
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Department for Business and Trade
37 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

Throughout our inquiry we have heard about the co-ordination gap between central policies and the...

Throughout our inquiry we have heard about the co-ordination gap between central policies and the delivery of these policies at the local level. It is an oversight of the Heat and Buildings Strategy that it did not explore how the delivery of low carbon heat can be improved. Further to … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that it has been working closely with regional government representatives to attract investment within the supply chain, providing funding through schemes like the National Skills Fund, and supporting local governments through the Net Zero Innovation Programme.
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Department for Business and Trade
38 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should give higher priority to the decarbonisation...

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should give higher priority to the decarbonisation of homes and the support it offers to local and regional government in England, and should, in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, publish joint milestones and metrics setting out which … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that the Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero Strategy, published in October 2021, already set out joint milestones and metrics jointly owned between DLUHC and BEIS for decarbonising heating in homes, and they report on progress annually.
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Department for Business and Trade
39 Recommendation Seventh report - Decarbonising heat in … Accepted

We call on the COP26 President, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, in his capacity...

We call on the COP26 President, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, in his capacity as chair of the Cabinet Office Climate Adaptation and Implementation Committee, Decarbonising Heat in Homes 59 to take ministerial responsibility for improved coordination between Departments and to present an annual report to Parliament on progress … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that the Prime Minister chairs the Climate Action Strategy Committee (CASC) and the COP26 President chairs the Climate Action Implementation Committee, and that they respond annually to the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Progress Report on Mitigation, including a comprehensive set of answers …
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Department for Business and Trade

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Nov 2021 Ian Rippin · Microgeneration Certification scheme, Juliet Phillips · E3G, Marcus Shepheard · Climate Change Committee, Zoe Guijarro · Citizens Advice View ↗
8 Jun 2021 Caroline Bragg · Association for Decentralised Energy, Ed Dodman · Ombudsman Services, James Richardson · National Infrastructure Commission, Jenny Hill · Committee on Climate Change, Matthew Copeland · National Energy Action, Neil Kenward · Ofgem, Polly Billington · UK100, Stephen Knight · Heat Trust View ↗
20 Apr 2021 Emma Harvey · Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings, Juliet Phillips · E3G, Mark Barrett · University College London, Naomi Baker · Energy Saving Trust View ↗
16 Mar 2021 Angie Needle · Cadent Gas, David Renard · Local Government Associations’ Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board, George Day · Energy Systems Catapult, Greg Jackson · Octopus Energy, Michael Lewis · E.ON, Patrick Chauvin · Stonewater, Randolph Brazier · Energy Networks Association, Steve Keeton · Vaillant Group UK Ltd View ↗
9 Feb 2021 Craig Dyke · National Grid Electricity System Operator, Dr Richard Lowes · University of Exeter, Dr Will McDowall · University College London, Graham Halladay · Western Power Distribution, Gus McIntosh · SGN, Ian Rippin · Microgeneration Certification Scheme Service Company, Professor Janette Webb · University of Edinburgh, Professor Nick Eyre · University of Oxford View ↗

Who gave evidence

31 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Juliet Phillips · Senior Policy Advisor E3G 2
Angie Needle · Director of Strategy Cadent Gas 1
Caroline Bragg · Head of Policy Association for Decentralised Energy 1
Craig Dyke · Head of Strategy and Regulation National Grid Electricity System Operator 1
David Renard · Chair Local Government Associations’ Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board 1
Dr Richard Lowes · Research Fellow and Lecturer University of Exeter 1
Dr Will McDowall · Associate Professor University College London 1
Ed Dodman · Director of Regulatory Affairs Ombudsman Services 1
Emma Harvey · Programme Director Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings 1
George Day · Head of Markets, Policy and Regulation Energy Systems Catapult 1
Graham Halladay · WPD Operations Director Western Power Distribution 1
Greg Jackson · CEO and Founder Octopus Energy 1
Gus McIntosh · Director of Energy Futures SGN 1
Ian Rippin · Chief Executive Officer Microgeneration Certification scheme 1
Ian Rippin · Chief Executive Officer Microgeneration Certification Scheme Service Company 1
James Richardson · Chief Economist National Infrastructure Commission 1
Jenny Hill · Head of Buildings and International Action Committee on Climate Change 1
Marcus Shepheard · Lead Analyst Residential Buildings Climate Change Committee 1
Mark Barrett · Professor of Energy and Environmental Modelling University College London 1
Matthew Copeland · Policy Manager National Energy Action 1
Michael Lewis · CEO E.ON 1
Naomi Baker · Policy Officer Energy Saving Trust 1
Neil Kenward · Director for Strategy and Interim Director for Ma… Ofgem 1
Patrick Chauvin · Executive Director - Assets Stonewater 1
Polly Billington · Chief Executive Officer UK100 1
Professor Janette Webb · Professor of Sociology of Organisation University of Edinburgh 1
Professor Nick Eyre · Professor of Energy and Climate Policy University of Oxford 1
Randolph Brazier · Director of Innovation and Electricity Systems Energy Networks Association 1
Stephen Knight · Managing Director Heat Trust 1
Steve Keeton · Director of External Affairs Vaillant Group UK Ltd 1
Zoe Guijarro · Senior Policy Researcher Citizens Advice 1

Correspondence

16 letters
DateDirectionTitle
1 Mar 2022 To cttee Letter from the COP President on decarbonisation of domestic heat
9 Feb 2022 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the COP26 President on the decarbonisation of heat in …
8 Sep 2021 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing on policies for decarbonising hea…
22 Jul 2021 To cttee Letter from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury relating to policy relevant…
13 Jul 2021 From cttee Letter to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury requesting a Minister to atte…
13 Jul 2021 To cttee Letter from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on the request to attend th…
13 Jul 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Lo…
8 Jul 2021 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Housing declining the invitation to give oral evid…
27 May 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chief Executive, Octopus Energy, to the Chair relating to decar…
13 May 2021 To cttee Letter from Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, to the Chair relating to decarbonisi…
27 Apr 2021 To cttee Letter from Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy to the Chair in follow up on poin…
13 Apr 2021 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair regarding the Green Homes Grant…
23 Mar 2021 To cttee Letter from the Director of Strategy, Cadent Gas, to the Chair in follow up to …
23 Mar 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chair of the Local Government Association Environment, Economy,…
23 Mar 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chief Executive of E.ON to the Chair in follow up to oral evide…
4 Mar 2021 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State regarding the Green Homes Grant

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
15 Apr 2021 Informal meeting Private briefing · Virtual meeting