Since 1976, all new local authority housing has been built with wall cavity, attic and floor insulation. The standards of insulation required have been progressively improved in 1982, 1991 and, most recently, following the 1997 revision of the building regulations.
My Department does not have figures concerning the number of pre-1976 local authority houses remaining in the local authority stock as many of these houses would have been sold to tenants under the tenant purchase scheme.
My Department financially assists local authorities in upgrading, renovating and redeveloping their housing stock through the remedial works scheme and funding for regeneration and redevelopment projects. Works under the remedial works scheme must comply with the building regulations. The extent of works carried out to dwellings varies from project to project. Where an extensive programme of refurbishment works is carried out, measures are taken to improve thermal insulation in accordance with the building regulations. Some 14,500 dwellings have been refurbished since the inception of the scheme.
My Department also funds local authority redevelopment of certain flat complexes in urban areas involving some new build, refurbishment of some flats where this is considered feasible, and the demolition of other flats and their replacement with new housing. All these works would comply with the current building regulations; including the requirement for improved insulation.
