Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2016 to Question 57829, on energy: conservation, what role the new apprenticeship standards will play in improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation in buildings.

The development of apprenticeship standards in England is led by employers, subject to quality criteria set by Government. So far, occupations covered by standards relating to energy efficiency in place or in development include Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer, Junior Energy Manager, Community Energy Specialist and Thermal Insulation Operative.

The Government is also working with industry to support robust and effective quality and standards for energy efficiency, in light of the recommendations of the recently published Each Home Counts review. Those recommendations, implementation of which will be led by industry, include the creation of a Quality Mark against which all those engaged in design and installation of measures will be assessed and certified.