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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales published in November 2021, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the rental sector of the proposals to require landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their properties.

My department recently consulted on improving the energy performance of private rented homes in England and Wales to EPC Band C by 2028. As part of the consultation, we sought stakeholder feedback on the impact of these proposals on the housing market, including around the introduction of an affordability exemption for landlords, and I am grateful for the responses received. My Department will publish a Government Response in due course.