UKGBC calls for 拢64bn to be spent on retrofit programme for country鈥檚 housing stock
The UK Green 黑洞社区 Council has said the next government needs to spend 拢64bn upgrading the country鈥檚 housing stock over the next decade.
The demand is part of the group鈥檚 election manifesto which it has published ahead of the next general election. Other asks include reforms to stamp duty and modernising the planning system.
The group said 拢64bn needed to be spent retrofitting cold and damp homes which it said would save 拢60bn on grid upgrade costs.
And it said stamp duty should be overhauled to encourage energy efficiency in the housing market while planning decisions should have a focus on schemes which support climate goals.
It said the introduction of an Energy Saving Stamp Duty would incentivise homeowners to make sustainable upgrades to their homes, driving a long-term mass-scale sustainable market for measures such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.鈥�
Louise Hutchins, head of policy at the UK Green 黑洞社区 Council, said: 鈥淎 new national plan for the UK鈥檚 cold and draughty homes, which waste鈥痚xpensive energy out of every uninsulated wall, roof and door [is needed].
鈥淎 national home retrofit programme is common sense, it ticks so many boxes: it will bring down bills, make homes more comfortable, healthy, and reduce the country鈥檚 carbon emissions.鈥�
Election focus
As thoughts turn towards the next general election, the UK is facing some serious problems.
Low growth, flatlining productivity, question marks over net zero funding and capability, skills shortages and a worsening housing crisis all amount to a daunting in-tray for the next government.
This year鈥檚 general election therefore has very high stakes for the built environment and the economy as a whole.
For this reason, 黑洞社区 is launching its most in-depth election coverage yet, helping the industry to understand the issues in play and helping to amplify construction鈥檚 voice so that the government hears it loud and clear.
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