AQW 5918/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 27/07/2020
Answered On Date: 05/08/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance whether his Department intends to update the Building Regulations to require (i) electric vehicle charge points; and (ii) full-fibre connectivity for (a) new; and (b) existing buildings.

Answer:

Policy on electric vehicles is the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), whilst the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in Britain has policy responsibility for broadband connectivity as a reserved matter. The role of Building Regulations as a vehicle to support delivery of electric vehicle charging points and full fibre broadband connectivity is under consideration.

However Building Regulations provide requirements only where building work is being carried out, so any changes would not require retrospective measures for existing buildings where no work is being carried out.