The publication of today’s Fuel Poverty Strategy Sustainable Warmth is a welcome roadmap setting out the Government’s plans for protecting vulnerable households. The next step needed is for Government to commit to a National Retrofit Strategy, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “I welcome today’s Fuel Poverty Strategy, and share its ambitions to ensure everyone can afford to power their home. If the Government wants to build back greener, however, it must go further. It should build on the principles set out today, linking energy efficiency directly to health, wellbeing, and job creation, and commit to a National Retrofit Strategy in order to deliver a plan to reduce energy demand and carbon emissions from every home across the UK.”
Berry concluded: “While the new funding announced for the Home Upgrade Grant in this strategy is welcome in starting to build a pipeline of energy efficiency work for installers, it is not enough. The lack of a clear long-term plan on energy efficiency is holding back builders like my members from investing in the skills they will need to deliver these works.”
Notes to editors
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to help them succeed. The FMB is committed to raising quality in the construction industry and offers a free Find a Builder service to consumers.
