Asked by: Baroness Hayman (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 27 June 2023 (HL Deb col 589) that they would “consult on standards for improving energy efficiency in the sector within six months of the [Social Housing (Regulation)] Bill receiving Royal Assent”, when they will publish that consultation.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
This Government is working to improve quality and standards in social housing. Last month the Government launched a consultation on Awaab’s law, which includes timescales for repair work in social housing. That consultation is available here Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector. We will shortly launch a consultation on improving energy efficiency standards in social housing.
We are pleased that many social housing providers are working towards improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and we continue to support the improvement of energy efficiency in the sector through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
We want to see more social homes that are safer, more decent, with cheaper energy bills and more energy efficiency.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Financial Markets and Law Committee paper on Pension fund trustees and fiduciary duties on 6 February, when they propose to hold the roundtables with stakeholders promised in the 2023 Green Finance Strategy.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government welcomes the work of the Financial Markets Law Committee’s working group. Working with the Pensions Regulator, we will look closely at what insights we can draw from their report as we gather further evidence on how trustees are considering ESG factors in their approach to investment in the interests of their members.
This report is a useful resource for trustees, but we are keen to hear views from across the pension sector and wider stakeholders as to what further clarification, or guidance, if any, is needed. We plan to do this starting with a series of roundtable events this spring.