At NHDG, Policy Working Group members meet to transform discussion into action. The group ensures that the members’ voices are heard where it matters most; in the design of the funding frameworks, responding to current policy developments and how to shape delivery on the ground. The group works collaboratively with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to represent the views of NHDG members on UK home decarbonisation and retrofit policy, advocating for high-quality, large-scale delivery that places the resident at the centre of the work we do.
Policy
Working Group
The Policy Working Group is a platform to transform discussion into action
Meet Mike McGowan, Divisional Director at WPS and Chair of the NHDG Policy Working Group. Mike has championed the group’s focus on quality delivery, data-driven advocacy, and proactive engagement with DESNZ.
“Consistent policy is the key to us achieving our net zero targets, helping us create long-term plans for retrofit and decarbonisation. Thus far, DESNZ have worked extremely collaboratively with the NHDG, which we hope will continue in the future – helping the sector to plan with certainty as we aim to grow the supply chain to meet client needs. Together, we will deliver the aspirations of housing providers, reducing carbon emissions, reducing fuel stress in communities and providing warmer, healthier homes for all.”
Chairperson
Michael McGowan, Wates
Pillar One
Delivering the Warm Homes Plan
The Warm Homes Plan represents a significant moment for the retrofit sector, signalling long-term, multibillion-pound public investment to improve the energy efficiency of homes, cut fuel poverty, and drive progress toward net zero. For the NHDG, this scale of funding presents both an opportunity and a challenge to build stable pipelines of work, invest in skills and supply chain partnerships, and to continue to deliver retrofit at the pace and scale required.
The group regularly engages with DESNZ at in-person and online events and through consultation response to represented NHDG member views, support our ongoing relationship and help to shape policy. The NHDG works to advocate for a shift away from short-term, fragmented delivery models towards stable, long-term frameworks that provide certainty for industry investment and deliver consistent outcomes for communities.
Pillar Two
Area-Based Retrofit and Devolution
A key policy priority for the NHDG is supporting the shift to place-based delivery. This presents a pivotal opportunity to improve coordination, scale delivery, and align funding with local community needs.
The group is exploring what effective delivery at the local level looks like in practice, including local procurement and consistent scheme rules, local skills and supply chain development, the importance of consumer protection and the role of social value.
Pillar Three
Strengthening Evidence, Advocacy and Political Resilience
Building a strong evidence base is essential to demonstrate the tangible benefits of retrofit for households, communities, and the wider economy, and to make the case for long-term policy continuity in the retrofit sector. As part of our advocacy work, the group has regular engagement with policymakers through NHDG events. These events connect policymakers with industry leaders and support our ongoing working relationship with DESNZ.
The group also submits consultation responses and calls for evidence, drawing directly on members’ delivery experience. Through our consistent engagement, the NHDG’s input is well established and regularly informs policy development.
Members are also provided with regular policy and data updates through the Secretariat, including insight into delivery trends across Warm Homes schemes, such as which measures are being installed, where, and at what scale – supporting members to see how the funding landscape is evolving.
Useful Definitions
Health impacts range from allergic reactions to respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cardiac arrest. Living in mouldy or excessively cold homes is also linked to mental health problems including depression and anxiety.
Indoor environments include indoor temperatures that are too cold or too hot, high humidity levels, high noise levels and poor air quality. This is often due to poor insulation and ventilation in a property.
Insulation acts as a barrier to heat transfer, ensuring homes stay warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather, helping to maintain a consistent indoor temperature. There are many different types of insulation, including loft, room-in-roof, cavity wall, solid wall and underfloor insulation, among others.
Ventilation creates healthier indoor environments by allowing fresh air to flow into a home. Adequate ventilation also reduces the risk of condensation and mould.
How to join
Membership of the NHDG is open to Tier 1 contractors or energy suppliers that contract and directly deliver £15+ million turnover per year of whole-house retrofit at scale, supported by government-funded schemes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Eligible turnover must come from work contracted directly with clients and not through third parties such as energy companies or other bodies.
Applicants must provide evidence to support that they meet the criteria.
Evidence includes:
- The most recent audited accounts for the past two trading years; and
- Evidence of large-scale retrofit works either delivered or secured (minimum of £15 million)
Please be aware that the eligibility criteria may be changed at any time by the group.
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