What Labour’s First 3 Months Mean for UK Housing (The Sustainability Revolution for all Begins!)
As Labour’s government settles into office, their focus on sustainability and housing—key pillars of their election campaign—has started to take shape. With the housing crisis and green policies at the forefront, Labour has begun to roll out initiatives aimed at transforming both sectors through their government sustainability policy framework. However, for these policies to truly succeed, they must be implemented carefully to avoid increasing social inequalities. Lower-income households often bear the brunt of climate impacts while benefiting the least from energy-efficient housing. Without inclusive measures, sustainable policies risk exacerbating these inequalities, especially given that wealthier property owners may benefit most from retrofitting incentives.
In this blog, we explore Labour’s early policies on housing and sustainability, review which campaign promises have yet to be fulfilled, and consider what these developments mean for sustainable construction moving forward. We’ll also look at how landlords are facing increased regulations and why Resolve believes that now is the time to act if you have renovation plans.
Inside Labour’s First 100 Days: How Government Sustainability Policy is Shaping Green Housing Reform
Labour campaigned on ambitious promises for a greener housing sector, pledging significant reforms within their first 100 days. The early signs point towards a focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and addressing the UK’s aging housing stock. The government has committed to driving greener infrastructure, but specific timelines are still awaited. You can read more about whether Labour is on track to meet its promises on the environment in The Guardian.
A key aspect of their sustainability push is large-scale retrofitting for social housing and private rentals. Labour aims to improve the UK’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards, requiring properties to meet stricter energy efficiency targets. This involves upgrading insulation, improving airtightness, and promoting renewable energy installations, such as heat pumps, all crucial for achieving the UK’s net-zero carbon targets. For these changes to avoid contributing to “eco-gentrification,” Labour’s policy will need to include protections against excessive rent increases in retrofitted properties, especially if landlords are receiving subsidies or tax cuts to implement such sustainable-minded retrofits.
Labour has also promised to strengthen the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to prioritise sustainable development, ensuring new builds meet stricter energy efficiency standards. This move is designed to ensure greener homes and more affordable housing across the country. However, while the rhetoric is strong, the details and timelines of these changes are still emerging. You can learn more about the government’s planning framework on the UK Government website.
According to the UK Green Building Council, reforms such as these are essential to create a net-zero future. For landlords, especially those with older properties, this signals the need for immediate action. Starting retrofits now means not only meeting future standards but also benefiting from lower energy bills and enhanced tenant comfort. Landlords will play a key role, and their compliance with these policies could either benefit or further marginalise vulnerable tenants, depending on how responsibly these upgrades are handled. Nevertheless Resolve sees this as a critical opportunity for landlords to get ahead of the curve and avoid future bureaucracy once new regulations take hold.
Tightening their Grip on Landlords: What to Expect with a New Government Sustainability Policy
Labour is tightening regulations on landlords, particularly around energy efficiency and tenants rights. The government is exploring tougher Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) requirements for rental properties, meaning landlords, first social housing and then private landlords will need to make properties more energy-efficient to comply with future regulations. They announced the requirement to reach level C by 2030. You can read more about Labour’s housing policies and how they affect landlords in this BBC article.
At Resolve, we see this as the beginning of a series of steps that will place increasing pressure on landlords to meet higher sustainability and building standards. Acting now offers a strategic advantage—property owners can get ahead of the curve, avoid future bureaucratic delays, and start reaping the rewards of energy savings immediately. Waiting could mean navigating stricter rules later, as well as missing out on significant financial benefits in the interim.
Retrofit Revolution: How Labour’s Government Sustainability Policy Will Drive Housing Standards
One of the most prominent elements of Labour’s housing plan is their commitment to retrofitting the UK’s older housing stock. This £13 billion pledge, a cornerstone of Labour’s government sustainability policy, aims to bring millions of homes up to modern energy standards by improving insulation, airtightness, and integrating renewable technologies such as heat pumps.
However, many experts argue that the £13 billion budget may not be enough. Industry professionals suggest that retrofitting the UK’s aging homes to meet sustainable standards could require hundreds of billions. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if 19 million homes need renovations, we’re in for quite the challenge! Even if half of those homeowners decide to fund the upgrades themselves, we’re still looking at 10 million homes trying to share a rather meager pot of £13 billion. That works out to about £1,300 per home—not exactly a game-changer in the world of renovations! And let’s not forget, you can’t just hand out cash without the necessary infrastructure to implement these upgrades. Labour will need to carefully allocate these funds to ensure equitable access, or risk missing this opportunity to lift up struggling communities while achieving climate targets. To make a real impact, Resolve believes the government will need to offer more incentives to persuade those with capital—such as tax breaks or low-interest loans—to encourage homeowners and landlords to invest in energy upgrades. They must always be aware of not overly supporting those with greater levels of agency and ability. The Energy Saving Trust outlines some of the benefits of retrofitting homes and suggests potential savings for property owners.
Resolve advises landlords and homeowners not to wait for more government action. Improving insulation and installing energy-saving technologies now will help meet future regulations and start delivering energy savings immediately. Retrofitting older homes to standards like EnerPHit—a Passive House standard for retrofits—can drastically reduce energy demand and improve the sustainability of properties. Learn more about Passive House from our previous blog post.
By acting now, property owners can future-proof their homes, avoid regulatory hurdles, and start benefiting from energy savings immediately. With energy efficiency standards tightening and Labour’s commitment to sustainability shaping future housing policies, now is the ideal time to upgrade. Don’t wait for mandatory changes—let’s make your refurbishment count today and sidestep the risk of forced improvements down the line. Equitable distribution of resources and safeguards against “green rent hikes” will be likely to ensure that the economic and social benefits of retrofitting reach every corner of society.
The Gaps in Labour’s Government Sustainability Policy: What’s Yet to Be Addressed
Despite Labour’s early moves, several key promises remain unfulfilled. The much-discussed green home grants, which aim to help homeowners afford energy-saving upgrades, have yet to materialise. This type of funding is crucial to ensure that sustainable retrofitting is within reach for households across all income brackets, preventing green initiatives from being a privilege reserved for wealthier homeowners.
Similarly, while Labour has mentioned plans for 150,000 new social homes per year, no detailed action has been taken to pursue this and to ensure that these homes meet rigorous sustainability standards. Setting clear, high benchmarks—like Passive House standards—would be essential to build not only more affordable housing but also truly energy-efficient homes that reduce long-term costs for occupants. Standards like Passive House could position these homes as affordable, low-energy housing, contributing to both housing security and energy equity.
Moreover, the construction industry is still awaiting Labour’s government sustainability policy which must address the urgent need to reskill workers for green construction, which is essential for both meeting sustainability targets and ensuring a just transition in the workforce. By supporting programs that upskill workers in sustainable building practices, Labour can help create jobs, empower communities, and ensure that the benefits of a green economy are widely shared, not limited to a select few. This type of investment in workforce development would pave the way for green economic growth and bolster communities across the UK. More simply, without sufficient workers, it may be difficult to deliver these renovations at the scale required.
What Labour’s Government Sustainability Policy Means for Sustainable Construction
Labour’s emphasis on sustainability through its government sustainability policy will reshape the construction industry. At Resolve, we see this shift towards greener standards as an opportunity for developers, landlords, and homeowners alike. Moving towards energy-efficient homes, retrofits, and renewable energy systems is no longer optional—it’s becoming necessary.
For developers, this means that future buildings will need to comply with stricter energy standards and higher EPC ratings. For landlords, it signals that properties will need to meet new energy efficiency benchmarks sooner rather than later. The market is already shifting to favour sustainable homes, and construction will need to follow suit.
Resolve is prepared for this change. We specialise in sustainable construction, from building to Passive House standards to integrating renewable energy into both new builds and retrofits. We believe that sustainable construction is the future, and property owners who invest in these technologies now will not only meet future regulations but also enjoy the benefits of lower energy costs and higher property values.
At a bare minimum, it would be wise for the government to apply steeper regulations to new builds and refurbishments to get the ball rolling while the government figures out how to handle the challenges of retrofitting older housing stock. Starting with stricter standards for new projects will set the foundation for a smoother transition towards nationwide energy efficiency.
We are still seeing projects completed today that fail to align with the country’s climate targets, which is short-sighted given the urgency of the situation. Continuing to build inefficient homes is not only foolish but also a missed opportunity to future-proof our housing market.
Final thoughts
Labour’s first three months in office have set the stage for significant changes in housing policy and sustainability standards. While not all promises have been fulfilled yet, the focus on energy efficiency, retrofits, and tighter regulations for landlords indicates that sustainability will remain a central theme in the coming years.
For Labour’s sustainability initiatives to truly serve all citizens, careful planning and protections against eco-gentrification will be critical. In a time of astronomical living costs, sustainable upgrades should enhance housing, not contribute to displacement. At Resolve, we’re ready to help homeowners, landlords, and developers navigate these changes. Whether you’re planning a new build or retrofitting an existing property, adopting sustainable construction practices now will ensure you stay ahead of regulations, reduce energy costs, and future-proof your property in the most efficient way possible.
For more information on how Resolve can assist with your sustainable building projects, feel free to contact Resolve. Now is the time to act—start making a difference today and ensure your home or investment is ready for the future.
