The Chancellor’s letter to the CEO of the UK Infrastructure bank, John Flint, outlining a new strategic steer for the bank with a clear focus on retrofit technology, is a positive sign the Government is recognising the need to develop the retrofit market to cut carbon emissions, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The Chancellor’s letter to the UK Infrastructure Bank is a clear signal that the Government recognises the value of retrofit technologies to help decarbonise the UK’s existing housing stock. However, the current focus on heat technology needs to be expanded to include the need to insulate our 29 million homes most of which are leaky and energy inefficient. Wednesday’s Spring Budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to bring forward clear fiscal measures to support a long term national retrofit strategy which needs to bring together fabric improvements, skills, and heating technology into one package.”
Berry continued: “The construction industry has been calling for a national retrofit strategy to incentivise energy efficient upgrades to our existing homes. Future plans to make our homes greener and more energy efficient must be long-term, so that consumers and builders alike have confidence in upgrade schemes. A national retrofit strategy would help lower energy bills for consumers, helping them out during the ongoing cost-of-living crises, and create an economic boost for small builders, stimulating local economies.”
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.
