Social housing net zero standard consultation: interim equality impact assessment

There could potentially be positive and negative impacts on older people and young children.

Potential for increased costs

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies, with the risk of these costs being passed onto the tenants through increased rents and energy bills. The evidence found that certain age groups may have requirements for higher heating temperatures and longer heating hours.

Accessibility of advice and services

Older people may be sensitive to disruption in the home and have accessibility requirements in terms of communication and finance support. For instance, evidence shows lower internet use among older people and higher usage in young people.

Improved thermal comfort

Decarbonising our buildings and improving energy efficiency may provide health benefits, particularly for older people and children, by improving thermal comfort.

There could potentially be positive and negative impacts on disabled people.

Potential for increased costs

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies, with the risk of these costs being passed onto the tenants through increased rents and energy bills. The evidence found the disabled groups may have requirements for higher heating temperatures and longer heating hours.

Improved thermal comfort

Decarbonising our buildings may provide health benefits, particularly for older people and children, by improving thermal comfort.

Disabled people are more likely to live in socially rented properties and more likely to be unemployed, be in low paid work, and be in relative poverty.

There could potentially be negative impacts on women and households headed by women.

Potential for increased costs

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies. The evidence suggests that female headed households are less likely to be managing well financially than male headed households.

Women, and particularly households headed by women, may therefore be unfairly impacted by higher running costs of clean heating systems.

Potential for increased costs coupled with lower levels of income

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies. The evidence suggests that lone mothers are less likely to be managing well financially.

Women, and particularly households headed by women, may therefore be unfairly impacted by higher running costs of clean heating systems.

Improved thermal comfort

Improving the thermal efficiency of social housing may provide health benefits, for pregnant women and those in the maternity period, by improving thermal comfort.

Potential for increased costs coupled with lower levels of income

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies, with the risk of these costs being passed onto the tenants through increased rents and energy bills. Data on the relative performance of transgender people in the labour market is limited, however, some evidence suggests that transgender people may experience economic disadvantage in terms of securing and maintaining employment. This could put them at risk of being sensitive to price costs increases.

There could potentially be positive and negative impacts for people from certain racial backgrounds

Low income and sensitivity to cost increases.

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies, with the risk of these costs being passed onto the tenants through increased rents and energy bills. 43% of people from Mixed, Black, Black British and Other ethnic groups, and 41% of Asian or Asian British ethnic groups were in relative poverty after housing costs. In comparison 18% of White British people were in relative poverty after housing costs. People from minority ethnic groups were less likely to report they were managing well financially and less likely to have household savings.

Improved thermal comfort

The consultation for the Heat in Buildings Strategy raised the concern that gypsy traveller communities have greater need for heat due to poor energy efficiency and often have higher energy costs. Some also require to heat more than one dwelling space. Improving the thermal efficiency of gypsy / traveller sites may provide health benefits by improving thermal comfort.

Accessibility of advice and financial support and services

The HiB Strategy consultation raised the concern that specific groups may be unfairly impacted due to difficulties for people whose first language is not English, who may need help to understand how to operate new heating systems to best effect. Concerns were raised about the need to ensure that refugees are also able to access adequate advice and support.

There could potentially be positive and negative impacts on people from different religious backgrounds.

Potential for increased costs coupled with lower levels of income

Clean heating systems may cost more to install and operate than incumbent technologies, with the risk of these costs being passed onto the tenants through increased rents and energy bills. Evidence suggests that people who identify as Muslim have a high rate of relative poverty after housing cost and are more likely to live in deprived areas (and lower SIMD is associated with higher levels of fuel poverty and low income).

Cultural cooking practices

Some people may use open flames – specifically for cooking – for religious and cultural reasons. Moving to a clean heating system may mean that this method of food preparation is not possible.

As we consult through on these proposals, we will work with stakeholder groups to ensure that the outlook of those impacted by this change are fed in.