The FMB is disappointed to see that during Energy Saving Week (22-29 October) the Government has decided to back down on its earlier commitment to source 20% of Britain's energy supply from renewables by 2020.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says,
"Now should be the time for the Government to show leadership by encouraging innovation and introducing incentives for householders to make Britain's housing stock more energy efficient and greener. Now is not the time to have a wobbly and certainly not the time to have a policy u-turn on renewable energy!"
Berry continued, "Energy Saving Week should be an opportunity for the Government to raise awareness of the need to reduce the UK's carbon emissions. With homes contributing 27% of the UK's total carbon emissions the FMB calls on the Government to reduce the rate of VAT from 17.5% to 5% on energy efficient repairs and improvements to make Britain's existing building stock greener and more environmentally friendly. A commitment to reduce VAT on energy efficient improvements would provide a real boost and provide a clear signal that the Government really is serious about reducing the UK's carbon emissions."
30 October 2007
Nearly half (48%) of Master Builders are reporting difficulties with recruiting labour, says the FMB in its latest survey of members. Scotland is particularly badly affected with 84% of builders reporting difficulty finding labour, followed by the North East at 67%, and the Eastern region at 63%. Northern Ireland is the best place to find construction labour with only 20% of builders reporting difficulty. Of all the trades, carpenters and joiners are the most difficult to recruit and hire.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says,
"The ongoing problem about finding enough skilled workers in the construction sector reflects the strength of the construction market. Small construction firms are reporting an increase in activity which merely exacerbates the already growing demand for skilled construction labour. It's worrying that the Government is still failing to meet its own targets to train more apprentices in the construction sector.
Berry continued,
"We need a sea change in attitudes towards training young people to learn new trades. Vocational training needs to be given the weighting and value as those wanting an academic education. Until this happens Britain will continue to suffer an on-going skills shortage which is affecting the overall performance of the economy, not least the impact this will have on getting the Olympics completed on time by 2012."
26 October 2007
The FMB is on a "green" mission to help people make smart choices and reduce the environmental impact of their home. Cutting through the confusing information that exists about energy efficiency, the FMB is advising homeowners about the practical and affordable renovation projects to effectively combat global warming. The good news is that those which make the biggest difference are also the cheapest and save the most money.
Top comes insulation - for the roof, walls and floor. Increasing loft insulation costs just a few hundred pounds and can pay for itself in less than a year. Cavity wall insulation can reduce heating bills by up to a third, with a payback time of around 3 years. Insulating the floor costs less than £200 and pays for itself in around 4 years. Added together, for a typical 3 bedroom home, these measures can cut CO2 emissions by more than 2 tonnes and reduce energy bills by around £250 every year.
Brian Berry, the FMB's Director of External Affairs, commented: "Our message is 'insulate before you generate'. It's not just new-build 'eco' homes that can be green; for a small investment efficiency improvements can be easily added to any building. Homeowners should think about asking their builder to increase insulation as part of their next renovation project. They'll benefit from year-on-year utility bill savings, as well as doing their bit to help the environment."
As well as insulation, the FMB suggests homeowners consider replacing ageing boilers - the latest models reduce gas consumption by more than a third - and fitting double glazing, which halves heat loss through windows. All of these improvements have a faster payback time than micro-generation schemes, such as solar panels and wind turbines. For example, solar water heating typically costs £3,000-5,000, saves £40 annually and reduces CO2 by 350kg. A badly insulated home will quickly lose any energy created, so the FMB's advice is to insulate first.
All this sensible energy saving advice is provided in the new "green" issue of the FMB's Essential Guide to Home Improvement. As well as giving clear guidance on steps that can save energy and money, it is packed with ideas and suggestions for other areas of home improvement. There are inspirational examples of best practice, with practical tips from industry experts on a variety of building projects, including:
- Finding and working with builders
- Planning and cost control
- Where best to add value
- Hints and tips on finishing touches
Just like planning a holiday or buying a car, homeowners who do their homework and research properly are far more likely to be satisfied with the end result. A free copy of the Essential Guide can be downloaded from www.findabuilder.co.uk, where homeowners can also use the FREE service to find FMB builders in their locality. Glossy printed copies can be obtained by telephoning 08000 152 522.
19 October 2007
The FMB is calling for incentives to promote small-scale new housing developments, which focus on existing neighbourhoods, villages and towns, as opposed to creating large new settlements, in its response to the Government's housing green paper.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says, "England's housing crisis would be best achieved by promoting small scale housing development which could provide an estimated 18 million family sized homes. England is the most crowded country in Europe with the worst road congestion, and the longest commuting distances of all our European neighbours. Although we have only built on 11% of our land this development has sprawled very badly with most of our remaining green land either in use, protected, or needed for environmental food, recreation and forestry purposes. We need to concentrate new housing development on existing communities rather than going for a mad dash for suburban and rural housing.
Berry continues, "Given that by 2050 an estimated two thirds of us will be living in homes that already exist today, the need to modernise and maintain our existing housing stock is vital to our housing future. The easiest way to achieve this would be for the Government to cut VAT on energy efficient repairs and maintenance from 17.5% to 5% to ensure that the existing housing stock can be repaired and upgraded for future use."
The FMB is also warning about the need to ensure improved design and quality coupled with a more efficient planning system. Berry warns, "The planning system is the single most important factor inhibiting the construction of new housing. Planning needs to be reformed to make it more streamlined, less bureaucratic, more predictable and quicker. Coupled with this we need to make sure that housing policy puts a new emphasis on quality and design. It is imperative that we do not repeat the mistakes of earlier decades which have resulted in demolitions and the creation of 'sink estates', which have damaged social cohesion resulting in increased crime and poor health."
16 October 2007
In his Pre-Budget Report yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, announced that the Government would be scrapping the Planning Gain Supplement (PGS) in favour of Statutory Planning Charges.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB, says, "The FMB has long campaigned against the PGS because it is unworkable and a potential barrier to the provision of much needed affordable housing. Whilst we welcome the Chancellor's announcement to scrap PGS, we are still very concerned about any 'new statutory planning charge'. The Government should be aware that the FMB is vehemently opposed to any new tax on development."
11 October 2007
"The Chancellor's proposal to allow local authorities to set a business supplement rate is yet another tax to penalise existing successful hard working businesses", says Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the Government's Pre-Budget Report.
Berry continued, "It is entirely wrong that small businesses should be expected to fund the gap in the Government's spending plans, in effect paying for the 2% cut in Corporation Tax. Once again we are seeing the Government robbing Peter to pay Paul by giving a tax break for large businesses at the expense of smaller ones.
Previous attempts to allow local authorities to raise business taxes has always resulted in failure and been regretted later. We've been down this painful road before, why do we have to go down it again?"
11 October 2007
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