Weekly Policy Update |
up to Friday 17th October 2025
Information provided by National Constructing Excellence
HCLG Committee publishes written evidence submissions for its inquiry examining housing conditions in England
The Parliamentary Housing Committee has published the written evidence it has received on housing standards. The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government supplied evidence explaining their policies to improve conditions in rented homes. BRE’s evidence (which informed Helen Garret’s appearance before the committee) broadly supports the government’s policy direction but identifies issues that will need to be addressed to ensure policies are effectively delivered. The chair of the committee said, “The written evidence submissions to our inquiry lay bare the extent of the housing crisis in England.” The committee is still collecting evidence after which it will produce a report, to which the government will issue a response.
Secretary of State for HCLG publishes an annual report on English Devolution
The Secretary of State for MHCLG has published a report which outlines the government’s work on English devolution during 2024 and 2025, summarising progress on establishing strategic authorities, devolving financial resources, and considering further transfers of local powers.
Government announces amendments to planning rules as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The government has announced further technical planning reforms to be delivered through the Housing and Infrastructure Bill which aim to “sweep aside blockers” to developments. The Chancellor has also announced that the government will seek to speed up decision-making on judicial reviews of nationally critical infrastructure projects, a category which the government plans to extend to cover data centres.
Scottish government unveils new EPC requirements for homes and non-domestic buildings
The Scottish government has set out new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements. New measures include new rating systems for both domestic and non-domestic buildings, reducing the validity period of EPCs from 10 to five years and strengthened operational governance arrangements for EPC assessors.
Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050 – BBC News
The Climate Change Committee has told the UK government to prepare to cope with weather extremes as a result of at least 2C of global warming by 2050. This comes as the World Meteorological Organisation confirmed that 2024 had seen a record rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Government to apply Decent Homes Standard to MoD homes – The i Paper
The i Paper reports that the Government will agree to introduce binding housing standards for military families in MoD accommodation. The new legal requirement means the MoD must now carry out regular inspections of service family accommodation and report publicly on whether homes meet the Decent Homes Standard.
EAC calls for government to do more to support victims of flooding
The Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee has published a report as part of its flood resilience in England inquiry, which calls for the government to set up a single national flood reporting and information service.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has recently published setting expectations on competence management guidance on HSE’s citizen space. Industry consultation on this guidance is open for response until 6 November 2025. The document and link to respond can be accessed here.
The ICC was formed under the Building Safety Act 2022 to provide strategic leadership, assistance and encouragement to facilitate the improvement of competence in the built environment industry. It advises both the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and industry on matters of competence.
The ICC is committed to setting expectations for industry by sharing clear principles on how organisations could manage the competence of those working for them.
In the news
Inside Housing: It’s time for housing professionals to rise to the infrastructure strategy challenge – BRE’s Deputy CEO Jane Goddard writes in Inside Housing: “The government is clear on the need for homes, but what do we need to deliver?” Read the full story.
London set to loosen planning rules in drive to boost housebuilding
Failure to tackle shoddy retrofit work could destroy confidence in the industry | Comment | Building