Policy paper

Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel: terms of reference

Published 17 July 2025

Background 

In 2024, routine checks uncovered cases of substandard solid wall insulation fitted under the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme. The widespread nature of these issues has demonstrated that current installation standards and consumer protections are not adequate to deliver quality for consumers upgrading their homes.  

The government has announced that it will bring forward reforms to the current fragmented system of regulation as part of the Warm Homes Plan, which will strengthen redress and improve enforcement where standards are not met. This review will assess the entire energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofit landscape, ensuring that consumers can be confident in the quality of home upgrades.  

Purpose 

The Retrofit System Reform Panel has been established by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to gather insight from industry, regulatory and consumer protection experts to support the development of options to reform the retrofit consumer protection landscape.  

Objectives 

The panel will advise and work with ministers on the delivery of this reform to the retrofit system. Its priority areas of focus will include:  

• reaching a consensus on how to deliver a simplified system of high-quality standards and protections for building retrofit, ensuring that they are straightforward for consumers and industry to understand
• supporting the development of a clear and accessible system of redress for consumers with sub-standard home upgrades, underpinned by a robust auditing and compliance process
• ensuring that any policy options continue to support the development of the retrofit supply chain and wider economic growth

Scope 

The group will focus on long-term reforms to the retrofit system and consumer protections landscape. The government’s goal is to create a stronger, less fragmented system of standards, oversight and protections, as well as an accessible and robust mechanism of redress for consumers.  

While much of retrofit policy is devolved, retrofit oversight bodies operate across the UK. Therefore, the panel will need to account for a nationwide system, including how proposals will interact with devolved authorities. 

To facilitate this, the panel will cover standards and consumer protections in relation to measures to decarbonise buildings and improve their energy efficiency. The following specific aspects will be in scope for the panel: 

• retrofit standards
• accreditation of installers
• compliance with standards, oversight and enforcement.
• system for quality assurance and audits
• consumer protection (redress, remediation, guarantees)
• skills and capability of installers

Given this long-term system focus, nearer-term challenges will not be in scope, such as: 

• remediation for properties affected by substandard works
• measures for currently suspended installers
• design of minimum energy efficiency standards, government capital support schemes and any future supplier obligation.

Membership 

The panel will be comprised of the following: 

• Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action
• Gillian Cooper, Director of Energy, Citizens Advice
• Anthony Pygram, Member of the Committee on Fuel Poverty
• Marion Baeli, Principal, Sustainability Transformation, Egis
• Dr Hywel Davies, Head of Insight, Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
• Lynne Sullivan OBE, Board Chair, National Retrofit Hub
• Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive, Heat Pump Association
• Brian Berry, Chief Executive, Federation of Master Builders

Government officials will provide a secretariat function and policy expertise from across departments as required. 

Governance and ways of working 

Minister Fahnbulleh will chair the panel meetings, with government officials supporting with the provision of evidence and options for review.  

The secretariat will be overseen by a senior civil servant (deputy director) with responsibility for ensuring that the meetings are effectively run, making efficient use members time and of government resource. The secretariat will be responsible for arranging meetings, circulating papers and recording minutes. 

Agendas and papers will be circulated at least 5 working days in advance of meetings, with panel members attending the meeting with feedback on the options outlined by the latest papers. Minutes will be circulated and agreed within 2 weeks of meetings. 

The first meeting of the panel will take place in summer 2025. The panel will review the terms of reference and have an initial discussion of policy options. This first discussion will identify the priority areas of discussion for a broader work programme to structure future meetings.    

The panel will work on a confidential basis, with policy options being tested in full confidence to allow for the most candid and in-depth discussion. Due to the ongoing and sensitive nature of policy development, attendees will be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement as a condition of their participation. 

The panel will meet every 6 weeks, with each meeting centred on a priority discussion theme as agreed in the work programme at the first meeting. The discussions will help to drive options development, with Minister Fahnbulleh and officials using the panel’s expertise to test options and generate any further ideas. The group will ultimately aim to reach a consensus view to recommend to ministers. The recommendation of the panel will be considered during the ministerial decision-making process.  

When discussing and agreeing solutions, the panel will work within the parameters of existing government funding envelopes and policy, including the need to meet our statutory net zero and fuel poverty targets, as well as the Public Sector Equality Duty.  

The panel will be appointed for 12 months. Minister Fahnbulleh and senior civil servants will work with the secretariat to monitor the effectiveness of the group in meeting its intended objectives and will regularly review whether there is a need to make changes to the structure, frequency and purpose of the meetings.