We are aware of challenges in the system and delays to approvals of building control applications, and work is underway to address this issue.

On the 27 January, the BSR became a standalone organisation under MHCLG, marking a major step towards creating a single construction regulator. Under new leadership, enhanced operating models are delivering significant progress.

BSR continues to make strong headway tackling new build cases already in the system with only the most complex cases remaining. The Innovation Unit has dramatically reduced processing time for new build applications, with the highest quality applications approved within the 12-week target.

We must go further and build on the progress already made in operations and through the launch of the new body for the BSR. We are undertaking a programme of work to review the proportionality of the higher-risk building control regime, with a view to making targeted changes to the regime to improve proportionality whilst upholding safety aims. In particular, we are focusing on proposals to review the procedural requirements of the regime for high-volume, low complexity, routine works.

My Department has not undertaken such an assessment, as in most cases the replacement of windows of similar appearance can be undertaken without the need for a planning application.

However, there may be some local exceptions, and other consents such as listed building consent may be required.

The government will consider issues relating to installing energy efficiency measures and double glazing in listed building as part of ongoing reforms to the planning system.

Changes to improve the energy efficiency of a listed building need to be sensitive to the character, appearance and specific characteristics of the building depending on individual circumstances. Listed buildings are generally exempt from energy efficiency requirements where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the existing building.

Further guidance on improving the energy efficiency of windows of listed buildings can be found on the Historic England website.

Accompanying link: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/retrofit-and-energy-efficiency-in-historic-buildings/modifying-windows-and-doors-in-historic-buildings/

The Energy Performance of existing homes is assessed through the model known as the RdSAP, which enables EPC assessors to record instances of secondary glazing so this can contribute towards a higher EPC score for the dwelling. Infrared heaters are currently treated as a standard direct electric heater under this methodology. Although infrared heating is not modelled as its own category, the Government acknowledges its potential to offer efficiency benefits over other direct electric heating appliances. The ‘Appendix Q’ process enables the recognition of additional technologies such as infrared heating and manufacturers or industry groups can pursue that route for recognition in RdSAP subject to the completion of appropriate testing.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.

Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.

In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.

All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.

298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.

356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.

4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

Our ‘Help to Heat’ schemes ensure homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat. We are continuing to deliver energy efficiency improvements to a significant number of homes, helping households to save money on energy bills.

Double glazed windows are currently eligible to be installed under the Home Upgrade Grant, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Energy Company Obligation schemes, and many households have already benefited from this measure.

We are considering which measures will be eligible under the future schemes announced in December 2023.

The Government has not estimated the cost of including secondary glazing in the VAT relief for energy saving materials.

HMRC does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, such as secondary glazing, because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level on their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

The Chancellor announced at Spring Statement 2022 that the VAT relief for the installation of energy saving materials (ESMs) will be expanded in Great Britain.

From 1 April 2022, complex eligibility conditions to access the relief have been removed and wind and water turbines have been reinstated as qualifying materials. Qualifying installations will also now benefit from a VAT zero-rate until April 2027. Overall, this represents an additional £280 million of support for investment in ESMs over the next 5 years.

However, the VAT relief for ESMs was not extended to double glazing. While double glazing does have energy saving properties, it is already a popular means to improve the energy efficiency of one’s home. The English Housing Survey suggests that more than 85 per cent of properties in England are already fully double glazed: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445440/EHS_Energy_efficiency_of_English_housing_2013.pdf.

As such, providing tax relief as an additional incentive to install double glazing in one’s home would represent poor value for money.

There is no legislation or national planning policy which specifically prohibits the installation of double-glazed windows in listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas. Original windows can be central to the special historic or architectural character of a building or area and so each case needs to be considered on its own merits. Historic England, the Government's adviser on heritage, produces a range of guidance on this matter, including Traditional Windows: Their Care, Repair and Upgrading : https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/traditional-windows-care-repair-upgrading/heag039-traditional-windows-revfeb17/ .

The department does not hold Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), these are held by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) who run the EPC scheme. We work closely with BEIS to understand the energy performance of the school estate.

The next round of the Condition Data Collection (CDC2) programme has started and will collect further information about the sustainability performance of the school estate, including heat pumps. Further information about this scheme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme. The previous Condition Data Collection (CDC1) programme was undertaken between 2017-19. However, this does not hold the specific data that you have identified.

More broadly, the department is committed to investing in the school estate and has recently announced that all new Department for Education delivered projects, delivered under our new construction framework, will be net zero carbon in operation. They will also respond appropriately to climate change adaptation such as overheating risk, biodiversity net gain and enhanced flood resilience measures, to contribute towards meeting the government’s climate change targets.

As part of reaching Net Zero by 2050, the Clean Growth Strategy set out that all homes should reach EPC C by 2035 where cost effective, affordable, and practical. Double glazing is a popular energy efficiency measure and the English Housing Survey suggests that more than 85% of properties in England are fully double glazed, with less than 4% having no double glazing. As such, there is limited potential for further energy savings because so much of the stock already has efficient windows. Nevertheless, there are other benefits to more efficient glazing such as reduced internal noise, and improving the remaining single glazed windows would contribute to lower emissions.

Five per cent[i] of annual Non-domestic buildings energy use can be abated by fabric improvements of which we estimate around a third are glazing.

[i] Source: Building Energy Efficiency Survey, tables 4.5 and 3.1, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-energy-efficiency-survey-bees

The list of measures currently included reflects our assessment of the best balance between economic stimulus and maximising value for householders and taxpayers, in terms of bill and carbon savings.

We are listening to feedback on the scheme and will keep eligibility, including eligible measures, under review.