Cautious optimism from GGF following Autumn Budget

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has expressed feelings of cautious optimism following the housebuilding announcements made in the 2017 Autumn Budget.

Although the Government put a heavy focus on housebuilding, the GGF says more action is required to guarantee the United Kingdom hit the target of building 300,000 homes per annum.

The GGF conveyed their disappointment that the Budget featured no measures to raise the energy efficiency of the UK’s homes, which rank as amongst the worst performing in the continent.

Many recent governments, on both sides, have proposed speeding up the planning process and unlocking public sector land, but the country’s rate of housebuilding has stayed far lower than the target over the last decade.

This means the GGF does not expect a sudden surge in housebuilding, especially at a time when confidence in the construction sector has dropped to its lowest level since December five years ago.

The Federation believe all housebuilding programmes should centre on a ‘Whole House Approach’ to ensure homes are energy efficient and can keep inhabitants warm in colder months.

The GGF felt the Government could have included measures to make sure housing stock is energy efficient. In order to keep carbon emissions low, tackle fuel poverty and help reduce energy bills, the GGF urge the Government to invest in energy efficient glass and glazing product across the country.

Phil Pluck, GGF Group Chief Executive (above photo), said: “While we welcome the Government’s drive to build 300,000 homes per year, there is some way to go before we realise this objective.

Our Members are integral to the construction industry, and we will continue to work with Government so they fully appreciate the existing barriers to building more homes.

“Further, we are disappointed the Government did not provide additional funding for energy efficient measures in the UK’s domestic and non-domestic housing stock. It is vital the poor performance of the UK housing stock is urgently improved.

“The Chancellor announced crackdowns on diesel vehicles, but must also recognise the contribution that energy efficient buildings can make to reducing carbon emissions.”

Contact:

Glass and Glazing Federation
40 Rushworth Street
London
SE1 0RB
LONDON

t: 0207 939 9101

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