INDUSTRY UPDATE VIEWPOINT
The FMB gives its viewpoint on the headlines affecting the construction sector Viewpoint
Clarity over Biodiversity Net Gain Rules is welcome
Boiler Upgrade Scheme has failed
The FMB welcomed clarity on the new biodiversity net gain rules, which come into force in November 2023, but work is needed to ensure small house builders are not adversely affected. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “Many small house builders have been worried about these changes and the impact they could have on delivering new homes. The Government must ensure small house builders are supported, especially on brownfield sites, which could be particularly affected and are the traditional sites chosen by smaller developers. “Small house builders already face a tranche of new rules and regulations that increase the cost and complexity of building new homes, so targeted support to help them deliver biodiversity net gain will be key.”
pathway for consumers to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, then they will create the market for it. As it stands, the industry is ready to make the leap to retrofit the nation’s homes, but reticence from the Government has kept small, local builders from training up their staff in green skills as they can’t see a clear pipeline of work ahead.”
The FMB supports the House of Lords Climate Change and Energy Committee’s opinion that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has failed. The committee has sent its findings to Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “More needs to be done to increase the energy efficiency of our homes, especially by raising public awareness. This ultimately needs to come from the Government, with support from industry. If there is a clear
Berry added: “Ultimately, the Government should develop a UK-wide strategy for retrofitting homes, and lead on the issue
of green skills and financing solutions.
House building slump is a major concern A sharp drop in house building activity – the worst since May 2020, according to S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction PMI data – is worrying for industry and consumers alike.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “It’s troubling that house building is the weakest-performing area within construction as the country is in the grips of a housing crisis, with smaller builders feeling the pinch on top of decline in their output over recent decades. “The FMB supports the Government’s plans to build more beautiful and locally sympathetic homes, but there is no clear plan for how this will happen. We need to see increased funding to local authority planning departments to help them take on and train more planning staff and a provide a greatly simplified planning process to get homes out of planning purgatory.”
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Master Builder
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