Written questions by Robertson.

What steps his Department plans to take to support landlords in (a) rural and (b) coastal areas to meet the new EPC standards by 2030.

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector to EPC C or equivalent. We are proposing a phased implementation of the new standard from 2028 to 2030 to encourage early action. The consultation is accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost to landlords. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards, including when and how exemptions should be applied for those unable to meet the new standard.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the new EPC regulations on the supply of rental properties in underserved regions.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to the hon Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2025 to Question UIN 22048. On the 4th December 2024 Government published the consultation on Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime.

What steps his Department is taking to incentivize contractors and service providers to operate in underserved areas with high demand for energy efficiency upgrades.

The Government recognises the need for a skilled, competent and robust supply chain to deliver the improvements to buildings necessary to meet our net zero and fuel poverty targets. We have invested in regional pilots through the Local Net Zero Hubs which are trialling regional solutions to retrofit supply chain challenges. Over £28 million has been committed to support skills in the energy efficiency and low carbon heating sectors since 2020. The Regional Skills Pilots is a £3.5 million investment in the retrofit skills supply chain across the English regions. The pilots support the five local net zero hubs to work with local delivery partners to identify and test solutions to regional supply chain challenges. We will set out further details in the Warm Homes Plan.

What financial assistance the Government is providing to landlords to help them meet the new EPC requirements for private rented properties.

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector to EPC C or equivalent. We are proposing a phased implementation of the new standard from 2028 to 2030 to encourage early action. The consultation is accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost to landlords. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards, including when and how exemptions should be applied for those unable to meet the new standard.

How many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published.

The information requested is a matter of public record and available on gov.uk.

What discussions he has had with the tidal stream energy industry on how GB Energy can support that sector.

Six tidal stream projects were successful in Allocation Round 6, meaning that just over half of the world's tidal stream deployment is in UK waters. As Great British Energy will be operationally independent, it would not be for Ministers to engage specifically on what support may be provided to specific sectors. The Government believes that tidal stream power has a role to play as we work towards our Clean Power by 2030 Mission. Tidal energy projects continue to be eligible for a suite of research funding programmes, operated both by DESNZ centrally, and, by UK Research and Innovation.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the tidal stream ring-fence to £30m in Allocation Round 7 of the upcoming Contracts for Difference auction.

Six tidal stream projects were successful in Allocation Round 6, meaning that just over half of the world's tidal stream deployment is in UK waters. The Secretary of State is working with industry to accelerate ways the Contracts for Difference scheme can be expanded to deliver our 2030 clean power mission, and we will publish further information about the next Allocation Round in due course.