Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: “It is disappointing that the Labour Party has decided to roll back its ambition to retrofit 19 million homes to just five million. Sadly, this is just one of many damaging and disjointed policy efforts over the last decade to deliver green upgrades, which every time ends up hitting the confidence of industry and consumers. What is needed is clear leadership with a decisive long-term plan to improve the UK’s housing stock. Retrofitting the UK’s 28 million homes, the oldest in Europe, would help stimulate economic growth in every community but time after time the opportunity to do so is lost.”
Berry concluded: “The now much reduced plans by Labour to only retrofit five million homes over five years is simply not enough. It will barely scratch the surface of the owner occupier market, leaving many old homes woefully unfit for the future or capable of efficiently running new heating technology, like heat pumps. Political parties need to think carefully about the opportunities retrofitting can provide, it is ultimately a driver for economic growth. Stop-start efforts have plagued green policy initiatives for years and will continue set the UK back, leaving homes unhealthy, cold and draughty into the future.”
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.
