The strategy, unveiled by energy secretary Ed Davey at Ecobuild last week, requires a minimum standard of energy efficiency (Band C) for as many homes as practicable by 2030.
Other measures include:
-Regulations that private landlords cannot rent out properties with Energy Performance ratings below E from April 2018
-A £25m fund to help people living in off gas grid properties install central heating systems for the first time
-Extending ECO to 2017 to treat a further 500,000 properties
-A £3m pot to finance pilot schemes which focus on priority areas
£1m will be released immediately to scale up local ‘warmth-on-prescription’ projects to enable GPs and other health professionals to play a larger part in tackling fuel poverty.
“Today marks a crucial step towards a future free from cold homes and bloated energy bills in England,” said Ed Davey.
“We now have a legally binding commitment to plug our draughtiest houses – adding to the 1m homes we’ve made warmer and cheaper to heat.
“From tackling fuel poverty in the private rented sector to facing up properly to the challenges of rural off gas grid poverty, this strategy marks a significant from the old approach.”