Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase the (a) resources, (b) capacity and (c) skills development for local authorities to (i) enforce and (ii) report on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard levels.

Between 2018 and 2023, the Government ran a series of compliance and enforcement pilots and competitions to support local authorities in enforcing the domestic private rented sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations. 104 local authorities took part with £8.4m provided to help them carry out effective compliance assurance and enforcement of the MEES regulations in their area.

The Government consulted in 2020 on proposals to improve the energy performance of privately rented homes. The consultation included proposals to encourage compliance with MEES Regulations and strengthen the enforcement regime. A summary of responses to this consultation will be published by the end of this year.