Building bodies have lamented a King’s Speech which confirmed that homeowners should not make home improvements to increase energy efficiency.
In a traditional ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, King Charles today (November 7) outlined the 21 laws the government intends to push through over the coming year.
A 78-page document published alongside the speech included “scrapping proposals to require landlords to comply with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) [level] C from 2025 in private rental properties”.
Announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in September as part of his much-maligned net zero reset, the move will allow many landlords to avoid upgrade works that many feel would have benefited tenants, contractors and the environment.
Louise Hutchins, head of policy and public affairs at the UK Green Building Council, said: “The government claimed to set out an agenda to tackle the long-term challenges facing the UK but failed to introduce no legislation or proposals to address the catastrophic levels of energy waste from homes and buildings that are fueling the cost of living and climate crises.
“Formally disconnecting minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes will condemn millions of people living in energy poverty to continue to endure cold and moldy homes.”
Meanwhile, in his introduction to the King’s Speech document, Sunak said a new offshore oil licensing bill would help “safeguard energy independence and security” by supporting the extraction of oil and gas from the Sea from the North
Hutchins said: “As we head towards climate disaster, opening up new oil and gas extractions without addressing the huge demand for gas heating in buildings will only move us further away from the net zero future we so desperately need.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it was “disappointed” by the move away from energy efficiency measures the government had promised three years ago.
“The King’s Speech should have included an announcement to reform the EPC methodology, given the Net Zero independent review recommendation to introduce new energy standards based on a new energy measurement system,” RICS said.
