A green revolution

Closer to home, the Conservatives threw their weight behind a new generation of nuclear power in the UK, and some significant changes to the rules around low-carbon building. Most importantly, the government ruled that zero-carbon homes could use off-site energy solutions, although they should focus primarily on energy efficiency.

The Part L consultation is rumbling on, although without “consequential improvements”. The plan to compel homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes when doing other building works was dropped at the eleventh-hour by housing minister John Healey.