The Government needs to step up and take on board the recommendations of the Net Zero Review carried out by Conservative MP, Chris Skidmore if it is serious about creating a low carbon economy, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said “The building industry is raring to act on energy efficiency improvements, which will decarbonise existing homes and reduce energy consumption, but there has been a lack of direction from the Government now for too long. The FMB welcomes the recommendations made in this report from Chris Skidmore as they show that with the right policy levers being pulled, the building industry can deliver a long term national retrofit strategy, which the FMB has long been championing."
Berry continued: "It’s also positive that the creation of ‘retrofit hubs’ is a key recommendation for moving the industry forward. The FMB and partners have been working on setting up a cross industry retrofit hub to help co-ordinate and upscale retrofit delivery. The report rightly notes that a net zero skills plan will be needed by the Government. There is a serious skills shortage in the building industry with at least a third of FMB members finding it difficult to hire bricklayers and carpenters. We need to see a clear roadmap for skills and a market for retrofit so that local builders can make the transition to training up in new green skills."
Berry concluded: "What is abundantly clear from the Skidmore Review are the benefits of retrofitting – it’s a win-win solution. Retrofitting of existing homes lowers bills, warms homes, creates jobs, and provides local builders with skills for the future. The review points out what needs to be done by the Government to make net zero a reality and industry stands ready to deliver on it”.
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.
