The LGA has, in a consultation response to a Government draft National Air Pollution Control Programme, again raised concerns about funding of Local Authority regulatory services and the shortage of skilled council officers.

The consultation was launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the LGA's response covered their concerns regarding a number of sectors including residential properties in the private rented sector as well as owner occupied and socially rented homes.

The LGA pointed out that, over time, it had repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of proper funding to enable local authorities to carry out their statutory duties across different sectors. It also referenced the shortages of qualified and experienced officers that were needed to perform those duties. Effectively, saying that the programme being consulted on could not work properly without those concerns being addressed.

The pollution from and energy inefficiency of domestic properties could, the LGA said, be addressed through a strong communication and incentive programme for landlords (private and social), tenants and owner occupiers covering retrofitting energy inefficient homes as well as transitioning to the use of heat pumps. But, problems remain with the lack of skilled equipment installers as well as the affordability of products such as solar panels and heat pumps. especially as, given the current high energy prices and cost of living crisis, households would be driven "towards the cheapest space heating options, which could be solid fuel in the short term."

The full LGA response can be read here.