To ask the Minister of Finance when building regulations will be reviewed, updated, and published to ensure all new builds will meet zero carbon targets.

My Department is monitoring proposals currently under consideration in England and Wales for uplifts toward a new ‘Future Homes’ standard. This is expected to apply carbon performance improvements of some 75-80% to new buildings from 2025, or possibly sooner. Similar proposals for buildings other than dwellings are anticipated in the coming months. These processes would be expected to provide updated software, policy assessments and support necessary to progress such measures here and we will move on their outcome to assess the implications locally, once the position becomes clearer.

In the meantime, my officials are also exploring detailed options with the Department’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) and other departments to independently improve local energy efficiency standards for new buildings as quickly as possible.