Manifesting transformation? 

Dr Louise King, Research Associate, University of Bath 

The scale of housing transformation required to deliver net zero targets and provide better quality, healthier and climate-resilient homes is not to be underestimated. Not least when this challenge is set against a backdrop of complex and fragmented policy. The heterogeneity and sheer scale of the UK’s existing housing stock, approximately 28 million homes (CCC, 2022) – with an estimated 80% of homes which will be occupied in 2050 already built – is daunting.  As the 2024 general election draws closer, what pathways to housing transformation are being proposed by the UK’s political parties and how do they measure up to the challenges that need to be addressed? 

The challenge for policy makers 

Policy and governance within the context of housing transformation is not a novel challenge, but rather one which successive governments have largely failed to grapple with. For example, you just need look at the long, inglorious history of high-profile policy disappointments, such as the Green Deal. The difficulty of developing a standard approach to housing transformation due to factors such as building archetypes, age, location, condition and occupancy patterns has been noted in numerous studies. Moreover, as highlighted in the Skidmore Review, Mission Net Zero (2023), scaling-up transformation requires the development of wider infrastructure including supply chains, the availability of a skilled workforce underpinned by a training pipeline, the implementation of compliance standards such as minimum EPC ratings, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.  

As the Climate Change Committee stated in their 2023 Progress Report, “the next ten years are the crucial period to decarbonise buildings, requiring a complete policy framework to be put in place, together with the necessary supply chains and supporting infrastructure, alongside public acceptance of the transition.” This urgency needs to be reflected in policy, setting out clear and consistent frameworks for delivery. What then, are the manifesto commitments provided by the parties as we approach the 4th of July and are they likely to drive the pace and scale of transformation required? 

Possible pathways to housing transformation 

The Labour Party has set out its stall within one of its so-called ‘Five Missions’ in the form of “Clean Power by 2030,” which focuses on the delivery of a decarbonised future. Central to this mission, is the reduction of energy demand through a proposed Warm Homes Plan. The Plan commits to doubling funding to retrofit homes and driving clean heating (a £13.2bn commitment). Underpinning the Plan are aims to upgrade five million homes, cut energy bills, reduce fuel poverty and bring the UK ‘back on track’ to achieve climate targets. There is also a commitment to work closely with local and devolved governments to deliver this Plan.  

The Conservative Party, meanwhile, proposes a ‘Pragmatic and Proportionate approach to net zero’ with a focus on household energy cost reduction. This includes a proposed £6bn investment in home energy efficiency, a commitment to energy bill reduction through tariff reform and an energy efficiency voucher scheme to support installation of energy efficiency measures and solar panels.  

The Liberal Democrats set out a number of housing decarbonisation commitments, including incentives for heat pump installation, subsidised energy-saving grants, energy tariff reform and a Home Energy Upgrade programme for low-income households. The private-rental sector is also recognised with a proposed reintroduction of EPC C minimum ratings for rental properties.  

The detail of how these manifesto commitments will be delivered is not fully explored, though it is likely a combination of public and private investment, grants and incentives will be key mechanisms. What is clear, however, is that all parties recognise housing transformation must be driven forward to tackle climate change and social equity. The extent to which these proposed pathways will deliver the scale and transformation of homes is somewhat opaque. The fundamental changes needed to engage stakeholders and the wider public with the social change required, and the benefits which can be delivered through housing transformation need greater emphasis and strategic direction. Achieving the scale of change will require significant and timely financing from the government. While it is encouraging to see a clear focus on decarbonisation of housing within manifesto commitments, policy will need to advance at a greater pace and ambition than ever before to deliver the urgent change required.  

Further reading: 

CCC, 2022. Progress in Reducing Emissions 2022: Report to Parliament. June. Author,  

London. https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Progress-in-re  

ducing-emissions-2022-Report-to-Parliament.pdf.  

CCC. 2023. Progress Report to UK Parliament. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2023-progress-report-to-parliament/ 

Skidmore mission net zero. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63c0299ee90e0771c128965b/mission-zero-independent-review.pdf