Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateRichard Bacon
Main Page: Richard Bacon (Conservative - South Norfolk)Department Debates - View all Richard Bacon's debates with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(5 years, 7 months ago)
Commons Chamber Alok Sharma
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Alok Sharma 
        
    
        
    
        Of course, UKRI provides funding for a whole range of universities. Again, if the hon. Gentleman has specific ideas for projects, perhaps he would come forward with them.
 Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        It is possible to build a house that costs nothing to heat, but that is not happening at scale at the moment. Does my right hon. Friend consider it part of his Department’s responsibilities to support research into making this more widespread, which would be hugely beneficial for the planet?
 Alok Sharma
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Alok Sharma 
        
    
        
    
        I know that my hon. Friend is an authority on the house building sector, and I had an opportunity to work with him on these issues when I was the Housing and Planning Minister. He raises an important point. We know that 15% of emissions are from housing, and we are looking to see how we can bring that down as part of the net zero target.