Last week, we @NEA_UKCharity responded to the @beisgovuk consultation on improving home energy performance through lenders.

Our response - https://www.nea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NEA-Response-to-BEIS-Improving-home-energy-performance-through-lenders_Website.pdf

And here’s a quick summary of what we think

Our response builds from on an assumption that a reputational incentive for banks to increase the EPCs of their portfolios will lead to financial incentives/penalties for owner occupiers dependent on their EPC.

This works for those who can pay, but what about those that can’t?

Well the good news is, @beisgovuk propose to exempt fuel poor households.

We agree, but think that exemptions should be more generous.

We think exemptions should capture:
All households vulnerable to the impacts of fuel poverty (as per the fuel poverty strategy)
All households eligible for fuel poverty schemes
All households receiving a means tested benefit
All low income households

BUT

Households must not miss out on any benefits of the scheme.

A low income household with a more efficient home should be able to access better deals (if that is indeed how the market responds)

We also think that if fuel poor households are being actively exempted by lenders, the lenders should build trusted referral networks to get those households help.

It could create good opportunities for identifying financially vulnerable households and getting them support