Government urged to include home energy retrofits in Industrial strategy
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has responded to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into the energy efficiency of existing homes, calling on Government to implement a long-term national retrofit agenda as a key part of its Industrial Strategy.
[edit] Long-term benefits of retrofits
Government support for this agenda and a clear direction of travel for the construction industry will, the CIOB believes, help provide the certainty that businesses need to create stable, green jobs beyond 2021. The industry is ideally placed to help kickstart the UK economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, and thought must be given to how it can facilitate a clean, fair and sustainable recovery. Retrofit work is labour intensive and grounded in local supply chains, making it ideal as a mechanism to help maximise employment, support regional growth and provide opportunities for training and retraining in low-carbon construction skills.
The CIOB welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a £2 billion ‘Green Homes Grant’, which will provide up to £5,000 for each household to spend on energy-saving home improvements in 2020-21. While this is a positive first step, it will need to be supported with long-term effort, monitoring and oversight in order to provide the best solutions for maintaining and improving the built environment.
The CIOB encourages the Government to revisit the findings of the Each Home Counts review, particularly the establishment of a quality mark for all energy efficiency and renewable energy measures and companies operating in this sector. It is equally vital that TrustMark is adequately resourced to oversee and enforce quality control for all firms carrying out retrofit work.
A full link to the CIOB's response can be accessed here.
This article originally appeared on the CIOB website under the title, 'CIOB responds to government inquiry into energy efficiency of homes.' It was published on 3 Aug 2020.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Boiler markets and the green recovery.
- Bonfield Review.
- CIOB articles.
- CIOB responds to Sixth Carbon Budget.
- Get ready for green jobs and upgrade projects.
- Green Homes Grant vouchers extended.
- Home Energy Masterplan.
- Industrial strategy.
- Retrofit.
- TrustMark.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.