Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of EPC requirements for commercial properties on trends in the level of empty office accommodation.

EPC Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards play an important role in reducing bills for businesses, making them more competitive and protecting them from future energy price shocks, as well as encouraging better working places for the health and wellbeing of its occupiers.

The policy has a number of exemptions in place to mitigate against significant costs of compliance. Crucially, buildings will only need to reach the highest EPC band that a cost-effective package of measures can deliver, even if this means that they remain below the minimum standard. Consequently, the costs for building improvements are expected to make up a small proportion of typical commercial rents and are therefore unlikely to distort the office rental market on its own.

We also expect commercial landlords in the office sector will continue to hold valuable assets and evidence suggests cost-effective energy efficiency improvements will help increase the value of those assets