Written question asked by Jonathan Reynolds (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 March 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 March 2014. It was answered by Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 April 2014 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Carbon Emissions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent assessment is of the success of the zero carbon homes policy; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Budget 2014 reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implement zero carbon homes from 2016. In Growth Review 2011 we set out a fair, practical and cost-effective approach to zero carbon homes. This made house builders responsible for abating the carbon from energy use from systems which they can control—heating and hot water systems and building services—not the energy use from appliances which they cannot be expected to control. We are taking forward the zero carbon homes policy through a staged approach of steadily strengthening the energy performance requirements in the building regulations and through the introduction of cost-effective options for off-site carbon reductions—‘Allowable Solutions'. Under this Government the energy performance requirements for new homes, the latest of which come into force on 6 April 2014, have been strengthened by around 30% from the previous 2006 standard saving house holder's fuel bills and cutting carbon emissions.

Secondary information