To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the Greener Futures Initiative and the future of the electric heating industry in the UK. (162666)

BERR continues to have regular discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the ‘Building a Greener Future: policy statement’, and the implications it will have for wider energy policy, both at ministerial and official level. These have primarily focused on the coverage and definition of zero carbon homes, the role of clean energy technologies in delivering the zero carbon homes commitment, the impacts on the competitive energy market and the need to maintain consumer protection. I am also a member of the Zero Carbon Homes taskforce, established last year to identify the barriers to implementation of the 2016 zero carbon target and put in place measures to address these. I took part in the meeting of the taskforce on 26 October alongside the Minister for Housing.

We have not however had any direct discussions with CLG on the future of the electric heat industry.