<p><span>The government will give its long-anticipated response to its consultation on Building Regulations Part L “in the autumn,” it confirmed today (September 16).</span></p><p><span>Speaking at HBF’s Technical Conference, held virtually, Frances Kirwan, MHCLG’s deputy director of the technical policy division, acknowledged that the industry had been kept waiting for the update, which will reveal the government’s decisions on the first steps towards its Future Homes Standard.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>“I know it’s disappointing to not give you a firmer answer, but it’s on its way,” Kirwan told delegates. “It’s taken us longer to get out the response than is ideal.”</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Consequently, the uplift in energy efficiency standards expected this year would be delayed, Victoria Tink, MHCLG’s Part L policy lead, added.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Kirwan gave an overview of recent government work in other key technical areas – including on the government’s Building Safety Programme and proposed changes to Part B and M – and next steps, including on electric vehicle charging in schemes as a Building Regulation. On the latter, the government would respond to OLEV’s consultation in November, she said.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>The Building Safety Bill was due to reach Royal Assent by the end of 2021 “at the latest”, Kirwan stated. “This is quite a long …