Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee hears oral evidence from the Housing Minister on fire safety
On Wednesday (17 January), Lee Rowley MP (Housing Minister) and Chandru Dissanayeke (Director of Regulatory Reform for Safer Greener Buildings at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) gave evidence to the Committee for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the topic of fire safety. While unable to give specifics at the time, they assured there would be a government response to the Independent (Morrell) Review into Construction Products Standards for testing and promised to come up with solutions to conflicts of interest that arise from companies not wanting to share results of testing on faulty products. They also gave vague details on a regime for testing systems of products and explored the phase out of recognition of CE marking but again could not give a timeframe for this.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launch trial energy efficiency projects
On Thursday (18 January), the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero launched 12 projects which will receive a share of £16 million from the Green Home Finance Accelerator. These projects aim to help families improve their home’s energy efficiency with initiatives including a solar panel subscription and “green mortgages” to fund bill-cutting modifications.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes new statistics on the Great British Insulation Scheme
On Thursday (18 January), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published statistics on the Great British Insulation Scheme, launched in March 2023 to help households with the costs of installing insulation. The stats show the scheme had a fairly slow uptake but began to rise sharply in the autumn, with a peak of 1,000 measures installed in November. In total, 2,979 households had insulation measures installed by the end of December 2023.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero appeals for low-income households to claim their Warm Home Discount
On Wednesday (17 January), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero released a statement urging people to check if they are eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount to help them heat their homes. This help is available to over 3 million households across Great Britain who are most at risk of fuel poverty. The deadline for claiming the Warm Home Discount is 29 February.
