3. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Welsh Homes

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:00 pm on 8 November 2022.

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Photo of Sam Rowlands Sam Rowlands Conservative 3:00, 8 November 2022

Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement. As we know and as acknowledged, Wales does have an older and less energy-efficient housing stock compared to other parts of the UK, and it's part of the reason I raised the point earlier with the Trefnydd in questions about the opportunities of ECO4. So, thank you for acknowledging some of those opportunities in your statement today as well.

An idea has been mooted in the past, Minister, and also mentioned to the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and it's actually where an element of council tax could be aligned to the energy efficiency of homes, similar to the way in which cars are taxed around their emissions. This, of course, could help incentivise people, alongside grants, to make their houses more energy efficient. I'm conscious, as I'm sure you are, of your Government's commitment to reforming council tax in Wales in the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. So, in light of this, Minister, what are your thoughts on the possibility of an element of council tax being based on the energy efficiency of someone's home? And will you carry out further work on this idea with the Minister for local government? Thanks.