One year later: How has Mayor done with retrofitting since Zack Polanski AM reminded him of promise to Londoners?

Just over one year since Zack Polanski AM published his report outlining the Mayor’s failure to follow through on his so-called “retrofit revolution,” Londoners have finally seen several of the Mayor’s key promises materialise, but lack the major investment needed to keep homes warm this winter. [1] 

For instance, after Zack’s report called on him to provide “pathways into skilled retrofit work for people already working in construction,” the Mayor at last funded eight retrofit courses as part of his flagship “skills bootcamps” for the 2024-2025 academic year, all aimed at adults looking to upskill or reskill in a new industry. [2] These courses include:  

• Retrofit and Energy Assessment at Capital City College Group 

• Social Housing Refit at Common Council of the City of London  

• Combined Domestic Energy Assessor and Retrofit Assessor at the London Borough of Hounslow (delivered by Retrofit Academy)  

• Retrofit Coordinator at the London Borough of Hounslow (delivered by Retrofit Academy) 

• Air Source Heat Pump Skills Bootcamp at Skills Max Academy Ltd 

• Domestic Energy Assessor & Retrofit Assessor Skills Bootcamp at Skills Max Academy Ltd 

• Solar Photovoltaic Systems Skills Bootcamp at Skills Max Academy Ltd 

Furthermore, in his 2023 report Zack explicitly pointed out that despite his control over the £320 million annual Adult Skills Fund, the Mayor had failed to lay out a strategy or monitoring to ensure Londoners obtain “the retrofit qualifications they need.” [3] Following Zack’s report, the Mayor made the following eight qualifications eligible for funding through his Adult Skills Fund: [4] 

• Level 4 Award in Assessing Domestic Dwellings for Retrofit  

• Level 3 Award for Solar PV Installer and Operator  

• Level 3 Certificate for Solar PV Installer and Operator 

• Level 3 Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments  

• Level 3 Certificate in Applying Surface Finish to External Wall Insulation  

• Level 3 Certificate in Installing External Wall Insulation  

• Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice 

• Level 3 Award in Understanding Repair and Maintenance of Traditional Pre-1919 Buildings 

Finally, the Mayor’s long-awaited Green Skills Hubs have finally materialized, offering the range of retrofit courses Zack called for in his report. [5] 

Nonetheless, many of the Mayor’s initial promises remain unrealised. The Mayor said his new ‘Innovation Partnership’ could raise £5 billion in investments. However, the latest figures suggest this scheme has only managed to raise £17.5 million, roughly £4,982,500,000 short of the Mayor’s pledge. [6] 

Reflecting on the progress stirred from his report, Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said: 

“It’s safe to say that while he may not have achieved the ‘retrofit revolution’ he promised, our report jumpstarted the Mayor’s stagnant support for retrofitting London.  

“Particularly after his government’s investment in retrofitting in this month’s budget, I hope the last year is just the start of the Mayor’s steadfast commitment to identifying, training, and employing Londoners to bring the city into the 21st century.”