MPs have called for a locally led approach to retrofitting houses to protect the most vulnerable from heat waves.
The Environmental Audit Committee has raised concerns over the UK’s lack of preparedness in the face of rising temperatures.
The committee’s new report warns that the ‘silent killer’ of heatwaves could claim up to 10,000 lives annually in the UK without concerted action.
It calls for existing initiatives on insulation and energy efficiency to be developed into a national retrofit programme which should be delivered by local authorities.
Long-term funding should also be available to support the implementation of this programme, the committee said.
Committee chair, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said: ‘Tackling overheating at scale will not be a quick or easy undertaking. Clear collaboration between Government departments and local authorities is necessary, supported by a clear messaging campaign and a pipeline of funding and skilled retrofitters to undertake the work needed.
‘Existing Government policy fails to grasp the urgency of the task at hand. A Minister with oversight on heat resilience must be appointed to oversee this important work.’
