Despite welcome announcements on funding for skills, business rates and housing, it’s disappointing that the retrofit challenge to make our homes greener and more energy efficient has not been grasped by the Government, just four days ahead of the COP26 conference, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to today’s Budget and Spending Review.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The Chancellor has missed the opportunity to give householders peace of mind about how they can tackle the net zero challenge. With nothing on retrofit for owner occupiers in last week’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, I’m struggling to see how the country will reach its legally binding net zero targets by 2050 if it doesn’t fix the UK’s 29 million leaky homes.”
Berry continued “I do, however, welcome the investment for skills and training confirmed at £3.8bn over this Parliament. Long-term skills shortages are delaying jobs for builders, with 60% reporting paused jobs in the latest FMB membership survey. I’m also glad to see further investment in housing, and warmly welcome the grant funding for local authorities to free-up small brownfield sites for housing given that land availability is the major obstacle to SME house builders. Relief for businesses by reducing the burden of the business rates system will be well received by some firms.”
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.
