Construction industry bodies unite to call on Government to improve the UK’s housing stock to meet sustainability goals

Construction industry bodies want to see more being done to address the environmental impact of the current housing stock.

A delegation from the Builders Merchants Federation, Federation of Master Builders and Building Alliance called for a united front at a ‘Get Britain Building’ event at JCB’s World Headquarters held in Staffordshire yesterday.

The move comes as the Government plans to ramp up investment in critical infrastructure, public and commercial buildings and housing.

Delegates heard that the UK’s current housing stock contributes to 40 per cent of the nation’s carbon emissions – and that taking steps to put this right should be on the Government’s radar to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation, added: “If we are to achieve net zero by 2050, Government action is needed to improve the existing housing stock.

“We must work together to provide confidence, incentives and support to homeowners to undertake the necessary upgrades.

“Collaboration across the industry is needed to help achieve the best long terms results.”

The building industry is a powerhouse of the national economy, currently worth £200 billion, providing employment to more than three million people – and manufacturing more than 80 per cent of building materials in the UK.

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders, said: A new ambitious national retrofit strategy is needed if the Government is to deliver its zero carbon target by 2050. Buildings contribute 40 per cent of all carbon emissions and given that 85 per cent of our existing housing stock will still be in use in 2050, urgent action is needed now to improve the energy efficiency of our homes.”

Mr Berry continued: “To deliver greener, more energy efficient homes, we need a skilled workforce to carry out this out.

“Unfortunately, the current skills crisis is a major handicap which is why we need a stronger commitment from the Government to develop home grown talent with more quality apprenticeships and funding for the further education sector.

“We also need to stamp out the cowboys in our industry which is why a licensing system is needed to raise standards and protect homeowners.

“It simply cannot be right that anyone in this country can call themselves a builder with the result that too many homeowners are fleeced of thousands of pounds every year.”

The event yesterday marked the relaunch of the Get Britain Building Campaign, 12 years on from its inception.

The campaign was originally launched in 2008, with all party support, as a response to what tuned out to be the longest and deepest recession in living memory.

Mike Leonard, CEO of the Building Alliance said: “With global economic head winds putting pressure on the market and the UK now having left the EU, the time is right to secure the future of Britain by investing in infrastructure, new homes and other buildings and the improvement of existing buildings.”