16:17 Nigel Huddleston (Conservative)

The domestic repair, maintenance and improvement sector is a vital part of the industry, employing about 60% of all those who work in it. The small firms and tradespeople who make up this sector deliver essential work to people right across the country. They play an important role now, which will become only more important as we seek to improve the environmental and carbon performance of homes. They are critical to our approach to reducing the 40% of carbon emissions generated by the built environment, and to achieving our net zero targets. However, it is also a part of the industry where genuine concerns about consumer protection exist.

I will bring my comments to a close shortly, Sir Mark. On decarbonisation, the Government are working with the industry to ensure that high standards of consumer protection are embedded in our domestic household decarbonisation retrofit programmes. Government-funded schemes require installers to hold appropriate certifications. The Government are also seeking to increase the number of qualified and competent tradespeople and to ensure that they have the skills to deliver the quality of work required. We have already provided nearly £7 million to fund 8,000 training opportunities for the energy efficiency and low-carbon heating supply chains. We are considering options to work with the industry to support further training in key skills shortage areas and new routes of entry to increase capacity. My Department is also working closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to strengthen the consumer protections available through competent person schemes.

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