Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress Report to Parliament; and what steps he is taking to deliver that report's recommendation that his Department support local government to play a full role in the Net Zero transition including though increased funding and resources.

Government is committed to reducing emissions and has set an ambitious target of reducing our carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, higher than any other major economy.

My department is consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework that strengthens planning policies on the environment, climate change and flood risk resilience; and we are finalising our joint review of planning policy for flood risk with DEFRA.

We have also recently consulted on a new part of the Building Regulations to reduce the risk of overheating in new residential buildings. From 2025, the Future Homes Standard will ensure that new homes produce at least 75% lower CO2 emissions compared to those built to current standards. This represents a considerable improvement in energy efficiency standards for new homes.

A significant amount of funding has already been made available to local government, providing them with the opportunity to take a place-based response to climate change which reflects their local circumstances.

Funds such as those available under the Local Authority Delivery Scheme have already provided £500 million to local authorities for upgrades such as insulation and low-carbon heating systems to low-income households across England.

We will continue to support local government by investing a further £200 million over six years from April 2021 to pilot innovative actions that improve the long-term flood and coastal resilience of 25 local areas.