Ministers are softening green policies in advance of the next election, and the government of Rishi Sunak is planning to change the energy efficiency standards for landlords. This will relieve the pressure on the housing markets.
Whitehall officials said that the energy performance certificates system (EPC) which measures buildings’ energy efficiency needs “fundamental revision”.
The government said it supported extending the deadline to April 2025 for landlords of England and Wales who must meet efficiency standards.
Officials said the EPC system was “designed as a tool for information to meet the requirements of EU membership”, and that it is therefore ready for reform.
The plan to change the EPC regime will likely win support from Tory MPs – both Brexiters eager to cut EU-derived redtape and net zero sceptics pushing for a scale back of environmental initiatives which impose costs on Britons who are struggling with cost of living crises.
The prime minister said on Monday that he is prepared to soften government green policies. He stated that he didn’t want to “hurt” voters or to “add” to household bills in a period of high inflation, by adding costs related to the environmental agenda. The UK has committed to achieving a target of net zero carbon emission by 2050.
Sunak’s intervention follows the Tories’ surprising victory in the Uxbridge by-election last week, which was attributed to their opposition to the expansion of the Labour-led Clean Air Initiative that imposes an additional daily charge of £12.50 on vehicles with high pollution levels.
Ministers announced on Tuesday that they would delay a new recycling scheme in the UK worth £1.7bn per year until after next year’s general elections, following warnings by companies that this could increase food and beverage prices.
Michaelgove revealed earlier that the government intends to give landlords a “greater degree of breathing room” in regards to energy requirements.
He told BBC that the ministers are “moving away” from the “strict deadline we have now”, which proposes all newly-let rental housing must achieve at least a “C” in its energy certificate. The ratings range from “A to G”, starting April 2025. These proposals would be applicable to all rental properties from April 2028.
Gove acknowledged one of the most important methods to improve energy efficiency – installing a heatpump in place of a boiler – “does currently impose costs”.
The EPC system has been credited by some with boosting energy efficiency, but it’s also accused of causing perverse results.
Whitehall has expressed concern about the costs to landlords to retrofit their properties in order to meet proposed energy efficiency standards deadlines and how this could affect the availability of private rental housing within an already tightening market.
Official statistics released this month revealed that less than half the private rental homes in England had an energy rating between A and C last year. The average cost to improve a private rental home to achieve a minimum C grade is £7,430.
The Whitehall official said, “We are committed to our environmental goals but we can’t overburden landlords who face cost of living pressures.” After the summer, ministers will be expected to provide more detail.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging Scheme would be delayed “for an year” from 2020 to 2025.
The companies would be responsible for the collection, sorting recycling, and disposal of packaging waste.
reported that the EPR would be delayed imminently last week. This is the latest environmental policy of the government to be ignored. Other policies include the long-awaited biofuels strategy, the relaxation of planning for onshore wind farm and the introduction a deposit return system for bottles.
Environmental groups expressed their concern over the possibility of a delayed implementation, while retailers, manufacturers, and food producers urged for a speedy implementation.
Companies said that the EPR scheme could increase household bills during the current cost of living crisis and were pleased to hear of the delay.
The Environment Department said that work is “ongoing” to deliver the EPR. They added: “We are continuing to engage closely in its design and timelines with manufacturers, retail companies, and packaging firms.”