UK MPs call for national licensing scheme for retrofit contractors

The House of Commons Energy and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee made the call as part of its new report on Retrofitting Homes for Net Zero.

It follows a call by the Grenfell Tower inquiry for licensing of contractors working on high-risk buildings, which is being brought to Parliament via a Private Members Bill in June.

The Federation of Master Builders, which has long called for the introduction of mandatory licensing to protect trades and consumers, welcomed the recommendation from MPs.

Bill Esterson MP, chair of the ESNZ Select Committee said, “Licensing building companies…is consistent with the recommendations of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee which were published today [22 May] for a national accreditation scheme to ensure energy efficiency retrofit work is high quality. Getting to the point where we have a scheme where the consumer can buy with confidence to see quality delivered is really important in energy efficiency and wider home improvement and building work. It protects the good traders, which is the vast majority of those in the building trade and has the benefit of also protecting the consumer. I look forward to working with industry and the Government in ensuring this can become a reality.”

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) added, “It is fantastic news that the influential House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee is calling for a national accreditation and licensing scheme to ensure retrofit work is accountable. This underpins the FMB’s call for a mandatory licensing scheme for all domestic building companies to help drive up standards in the building industry.”