What Andy Burnham’s UK Leadership Bid Could Mean for Retrofit, Net Zero and Housing Policy
Elmhurst explores what a Government under Andy Burnham could mean for retrofit, net zero and housing policy.
Following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that he intends to step down as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will put himself forward as part of the Labour leadership process.
Nominations are due to open on 9 July 2026, with the process potentially completed before the summer recess begins on 16 July 2026. If a leadership contest takes place, Labour intends to have a new leader in position before Parliament returns on 1 September 2026.
At the time of writing, the country is still awaiting further detail on the specific policy positions he would take as Prime Minister. However, his record in Greater Manchester, previous policy priorities and public comments provide useful insight into the issues that could shape Andy Burnham’s approach nationally.
“No turning away from net zero”
Devolution and local delivery could shape future energy policy
Andy Burnham’s record as Mayor of Greater Manchester points to a clear focus on devolved decision-making, practical delivery, social housing, public service reform and improvements to everyday living conditions.
In April 2025, Andy Burnham declared there must be “no turning away from net zero”, while also highlighting his focus on climate action, public transport and a just transition linked to investment in green industries.
If reflected in national policy, this approach could give local and combined authorities a stronger role in shaping retrofit and energy efficiency programmes around local housing stock, local priorities and local capacity. This could place greater emphasis on:
- Area-based retrofit programmes
- Local Area Energy Plans
- Local skills and supply chain development
- Better alignment between housing, health and net zero objectives
- More flexible funding routes for local delivery bodies
A more devolved approach could help local areas identify priority neighbourhoods, coordinate resident engagement, support local supply chains and link retrofit with wider housing, health and skills strategies.
Local government capacity will be key to retrofit delivery
One of the biggest challenges for the retrofit sector has been the stop-start nature of funding, with short delivery windows, changing eligibility rules and scheme-by-scheme administration making it difficult for businesses and local authorities to plan effectively.
An Andy Burnham-led Government could place greater emphasis on empowering local government and giving local areas more control over delivery. For retrofit, this could mean stronger local leadership, better coordination between partners and more effective targeting of support to the homes and communities that need it most.
Many retrofit, fuel poverty and housing improvement programmes rely on local and regional delivery. Local authorities and combined authorities are often best placed to understand local housing stock, identify priority neighbourhoods, engage residents and connect retrofit with wider housing, health, skills and net zero strategies.
Social housing could receive greater attention
Andy Burnham’s record in Greater Manchester suggests that social housing, housing quality and living standards could receive greater attention under his leadership. His wider political approach has often linked housing to health, affordability and public service outcomes, which could strengthen the case for treating retrofit as part of a broader mission to improve homes and reduce pressure on households.
If this approach shaped national policy, upgrading existing social homes could become a more prominent priority alongside building new ones. Registered providers often manage homes at scale, hold detailed asset data and can plan improvement works across whole estates or property portfolios. This makes social housing a key delivery route for retrofit, particularly where programmes need to combine energy efficiency, ventilation, damp and mould risk management, and long-term asset planning.
An Andy Burnham-led Government would also inherit an existing policy landscape where social housing is already moving up the agenda. Programmes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant are placing greater emphasis on funded retrofit delivery, while social rented homes are expected to reach EPC C, or an equivalent standard, by 1 April 2030. Awaab’s Law has also increased expectations on social landlords, particularly in relation to damp, mould and hazards that may affect residents’ health.
Continued focus in this area would place further importance on accurate stock condition data, reliable energy performance information, PAS 2035-aligned assessment and coordination, post-installation monitoring, and high-quality delivery that supports warmer, safer and more efficient homes for residents.
“We should give powers and funding to councils to compulsorily purchase homes in the private rented sector that are non-decent.”
Private rented standards could raise expectations for landlords
Alongside social housing investment, there may be a stronger focus on standards across the private rented sector, where housing quality, energy efficiency and enforcement can be more fragmented.
This approach can already be seen in Greater Manchester, where the Good Landlord Charter has been linked with the Warm Homes: Local Grant, bringing landlord standards and energy efficiency support closer together.
Andy Burnham’s work on landlord standards in Greater Manchester suggests that housing quality could be a significant policy theme under his leadership, particularly where poor property conditions affect residents’ health, comfort and living costs. In February 2026, Andy Burnham said: “We should give powers and funding to councils to compulsorily purchase homes in the private rented sector that are non-decent.” He also said that the poor state of rental homes harms the health of residents.
If landlord standards move further up the national agenda, energy performance may become more closely linked with expectations around property condition, tenant protection and affordability. This would align with the direction of current policy, with domestic private rented properties expected to meet EPC Band C by October 2030.
What this could mean for energy and retrofit professionals
If nominations open on 9 July 2026 and no leadership contest follows, the transition could happen quickly. However, if the leadership is contested, industry may need to wait until closer to 1 September 2026 for a clearer picture of future policy priorities.
For energy and retrofit professionals, the key questions will be whether:
- Retrofit becomes more closely linked to devolution and local delivery
- Social housing receives greater policy emphasis
- Funding models become longer term and more locally flexible
- Housing quality, health and energy efficiency are treated as connected priorities
- Professional standards and quality assurance are strengthened as delivery scales up
Whatever the outcome of the leadership process, quality will need to remain central. As retrofit activity increases, reliable energy performance data, competent assessment and appropriate technical oversight will be essential. Policymakers, landlords, local authorities and homeowners will need trustworthy information to understand which homes require improvement, which measures are suitable and how investment should be prioritised.
Domestic Energy Assessors, Retrofit Assessors, Retrofit Coordinators and other qualified professionals will continue to play a vital role in this process. Their work will support better decisions, better outcomes and greater confidence in retrofit delivery, helping to ensure that policy ambition translates into warmer, healthier and more energy efficient homes.