The Government should promote a patchwork of small eco-projects, with contracts awarded by local regions and communities for both new homes (in existing towns, near existing transport links etc) and refurbishment of old buildings, with green measures spread around a range of proven technologies rather than creating new eco towns, says the Federation of Mater Builders (FMB) in its response to the Government's consultation on 'Eco towns, Living a Greener Future'.
Brian Berry , Director of External Affair s at the FMB said:
"Eco towns are a misguided attempt to provide more homes on the premise that they will be beacons of sustainability.The reality is that we already know how to create sustainable settlements as demonstrated by the BedZed affordable eco-homes development in South London which has been a shining example to the UK housebuilding industry since 2002. The simple fact is that building brand new 'eco-towns' outside existing towns and cities is a really bad idea when there are 675,000 homes in England alone sitting empty, all ripe for refitting with green technologies. Given that demand for housing is right across the UK it makes more sense for every village, town and city to have new housing rather than creating brand new settlements."
Berry continued,
"There is also the issue about the role of small contractors in this whole debate or rather their absence!. Handing out massive contracts like this not only discriminates against all the smaller, more innovative, green construction building companies springing up around the country, but also leaves open the possibility of bad decisions multiplied on a grand scale meaning things go wrong in a big way too. For example, is it really likely that that the large building eco-contractors will really look at the whole way these new developments work? Or will they end up as sought-after, trendy developments whose residents, in practice, commute miles to work, shop in supermarkets and rarely walk or use the bus?"
Berry concluded,
"The answer to creating green settlements is to create a national patchwork of smaller eco-projects, with contracts awarded by local regions and communities for both new homes."
30 June 2008
With the UK currently experiencing an affordable housing crisis where demand is out-stripping supply, forcing up prices for everyone, and leaving first-time buyers with little hope of getting onto the property ladder the Conservative Party's pledge to build more homes is welcome news, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said,
"Grant Shapps MP, Shadow Housing Minister, is right when he comments on the failure of the Government's top down approach to house building and the importance of working with local communities. With house building at its lowest level since the end of the Second World War we desperately need all the encouragement we can get to get house building back on its feet."
Berry continued,
"With over 90,000 homeless households stuck in temporary accommodation and 1.6 million on a council house waiting list waiting for a permanent home it is right that we provide more homes. But how we do it is the real key issue. Our housing needs would be best served by more incentives to promote small scale new housing developments which focus on existing neighbourhoods, villages and towns, as opposed to creating new settlements."
Berry concluded,
"What we need the Conservative Party to do now is to spell out what incentives it intends to introduce to bring this about and what it intends to do with the existing housing stock to make it greener and more energy efficient. A commitment to cut VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent would be the ideal start to show its real commitment to the housing needs of this country."
30 June 2008
The European Commission's recognition of the benefits of reduced VAT rates for labour intensive services as part of the European Small Business Act (SBA) adopted today is good news for all those who want to see a cut in VAT from 17.5 % to 5% for all maintenance and repair work, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the European Builders Confederation (EBC).
David Croft, President of the EBC said,
"At last the European Commission recognises explicitly that reduced VAT rates are an instrument for an effective economic policy for small and medium sized builders. This is a very important step forward for the building sector, which, as a result of this directive, benefits from reduced VAT rates on repair and maintenance works of dwellings in a number of countries."
Croft continued,
"Until now the Commission had shown a more neutral attitude, allowing Member States to experiment the measure. The Commission now considers a reduced rate of VAT to have no negative effect on the functioning of the internal market."
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB concluded,
"We have been campaigning for a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work for some time so are obviously delighted by this news. The rationale for a cut in VAT is irrefutable. All that is needed now is action from the British Government."
30 June 2008
Kate Hoey MP (Labour) and Bob Russell MP (Liberal Democrat) have delivered a 10,000 signature strong petition to 11 Downing Street, calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut VAT from 17.5% to 5% for building repair and maintenance work. The demand to cut VAT comes at a time when the Government is failing to achieve its ambitious target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050; when the number of people living in fuel poverty currently is still rising from the current figure of 4.5 million; and when thousands of consumers are being fleeced by rogue traders offering cash deals to avoid VAT on home improvements.
The MPs were joined by three members of the Cut the VAT Coalition: Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders, Julia Goodwin of House Beautiful magazine, and Yvonne Orgill of the Bathroom Manufacturers' Association. In the week that the one hundredth MP signed the Early Day Motion (EDM 669) calling on the Government to VAT for building repair and maintenance work MPs voiced their concerns.
Speaking outside 11 Downing Street Kate Hoey MP said,
"We must change conditions so that it is cheaper and easier to make use of our existing properties to take the pressure off our countryside. The current 17.5% VAT rate is acting as a brake on regeneration and re-use of vacant or under used buildings and this needs to be reversed. We also need to make our existing buildings greener and more energy efficient. Recycling our built heritage by putting buildings back into beneficial use is an essential part of improving our quality of life."
Bob Russell MP agreed adding that,
"Rogue traders flourish by evading VAT and offering customers a cheap deal as a result. Every year more than £1 billion is paid out to rogue traders. Reducing the rate of VAT on domestic building work to 5% would reduce significantly the commercial advantage of the VAT evading trader. The financial incentive for a client to choose a rogue trader would diminish and a level playing field will emerge instead. In time, this will drive the rogue traders out of the market as customers focus on quality and value not just price."
Cut the VAT Coalition Coordinator, Richard Hyslop said,
"With the vast majority of MPs supporting a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work and with a majority of MPs from each of the three main political parties supporting a cut in VAT, the time for excuses is over; the Government must act now and cut this pernicious tax. Reducing VAT on building repair and maintenance work would help end the scandal of empty homes, reduce the number of families living in substandard housing, stop the destruction of existing buildings, tackle fuel poverty, and increase the number of greener homes."
TaxPayers' Alliance Chief Executive Matthew Elliott said:
"These are tough economic times, and VAT is making life even more difficult for ordinary families, builders and the housing market. If people want to make their homes more energy efficient, boost their standard of living or give the housing market a shot in the arm the Government should make it as easy as possible, not stand in the way. It's time for the tax man to help us all out and cut the VAT."
Support the campaign by signing up at www.cutthevat.co.uk
26 June 2008
Today's Government plans to move away from fossil fuels to wind, solar, and tidal power as part of its green energy programme is a welcome initiative but we need an accompanying green housing revolution if we are to cut carbon emissions and make our housing stock more energy efficient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"The Government is failing to develop a coherent strategy about what to do with Britain's existing housing stock. Given that homes are responsible for 27 per cent of the country's carbon emissions and that nearly 70 per cent of our current housing will still be standing in 2050 urgent action is needed now to make our homes greener and more energy efficient."
Berry continued:
"The Government's leadership in tackling in new build needs to be matched with new initiatives and leadership about what it intends to do with our existing homes. We need a range of incentives to encourage householders to upgrade their homes. Cutting VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent on energy efficient improvements would be a start as would reform of Stamp Duty and the introduction of Council Tax rebates. Given the Governments' target to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 now is not the time to be dithering. We need a joined up strategy for all our housing and the time for that strategy is now!"
26 June 2008
The Federation of Master Builders has launched a nationwide search for Britain's greenest builder - one who knows about energy efficiency measures and can turn their hand to installing insulation, wind turbines and even solar panels.
Eco-friendly homes cost less to run and are likely to be more marketable when the time comes to sell, so every homeowner should talk through the eco-options with their builder before they embark on home improvement work. It therefore makes sense to choose a builder who knows their under floor heating from their insulation.
With energy efficiency such an important factor in home improvement, the FMB is calling on satisfied homeowners to nominate their builder for the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008 Energy Efficiency category for an eco-project well done. Whether your builder has installed extra insulation in a loft extension or double glazing, they may qualify.
TV presenter Naomi Cleaver said:
"Energy efficiency should be high on the priority list for all home improvement work these days and homeowners should be able to look to their builders to provide them with energy efficiency ideas to help them to save money - and the planet."
Richard Diment, FMB Director General said:
"Builders are at the frontline in the bid to make homes more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly, so we do hope that this year's Master Builder of the Year is a green one."
"The Master Builder of the Year Awards are designed primarily to reward building excellence and customer service, but the energy efficiency category also requires builders to have demonstrated the best use of eco features, that can save energy, reduce costs and cut the overall environmental impact." Richard added.
Last year's Best Energy Efficient Builder received his accolade for an extraordinary, sustainable timber frame home made from straw bales, sheep's wool and lime mortar, but projects don't have to be this unusual to qualify. Of course, energy efficiency alone won't win the title.
What makes the Master Builder of the Year Awards unique, is that every builder must be nominated by a satisfied client, who is so pleased with their finished project that they feel their builder deserves national recognition. It is designed to reward both builders and clients, which means if your builder wins, you could enjoy a £3,000 holiday!
Naomi added: "The Master Builder of the Year Awards give customers a chance to thank their builder. The builders do not have to be members of the FMB and there are plenty of great builders out there, so tell us about your favourite. We want to beat last year's record breaking 1,500 entries from around the country." You can enter online or by calling 0870 162 0942. The closing date for entries is 31st July and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday 13th November 2008.
The competition has a wide range of categories to make sure it is open to as many builders as possible. Categories cover New Homes, Renovations, Commercial Projects (up to £3m) and a special Heavenly Builder award for builders who display outstanding levels of customer service, no matter how small the job they undertake.
There are prizes of luxury weekend breaks at any of the UK Barceló Hotels for each of the national category winners and their clients. The Master Builder of the Year 2008 will win a Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle and their client will enjoy a luxury £3,000 holiday.
Master Builder of the Year 2008 is organised by the Federation of Master Builders in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, and in partnership with Aon Ltd, B & CE Benefit Schemes, Barceló Hotels, British Gypsum Ltd, BuildStore, ConstructionSkills, CSCS, HBXL, Hilti, Velux, Homebuilding and Renovating, NHBC, Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise, Professional Builder magazine, Sage (UK) Ltd, Screwfix Direct, Travis Perkins, Master Builder magazine and CCATF.
12 June 2008
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