Sky News has recently been told by its Whitehall source that Rishi Sunak is considering the very real possibility of delaying the timetable of the threatened private landlord properties EPC required ratings, so as not to overburden them with inflated green costs. 

The much criticised proposed deadlines could enforce all private rented sector properties with new tenancies of having an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C by 2025 which will then subsequently be rolled out across all tenancies by 2028.

The policy is being introduced in an effort to reduce renters’ energy bills and put an end to leaky homes ‘contributing’ to emissions, however on Tuesday night the government source highlighted how much it would cost landlords to upgrade their properties’ EPC ratings.

The spokesman told Sky News: "We remain committed to our environmental objectives but we cannot overburden landlords facing cost of living pressures...we support delaying requirements for new minimum energy efficiency requirements in the private rented sector."

Besides announcing possible delays to the targets the government is also proposing an overhaul of the EPC system.

The source said: "More generally, we recognise that the EPC system which was designed as an informational tool to meet the requirement of EU membership, needs fundamental reform. Further details will be set out as soon as possible."

Of course the proposals will anger campaigners who have been busy urging the government to keep the energy performance targets’ dates.

Chris Venables, political director of the Green Alliance think tank, after hearing Gove saying the government should delay the targets for the landlords’ sake, said: "With millions of people on the front line of a cost-of-living crisis driven by sky-rocketing energy bills, it is alarming to see Sunak proposing to weaken already insufficient plans to make sure renters have well-insulated homes.

"Letting landlords off the hook will only further risk the government missing its legally binding climate and fuel poverty targets, never mind playing politics with the lives of the elderly and the vulnerable as we head into another difficult winter."