Industry trade body – more time needed for Green Homes Grant

A national trade body is leading calls for an extension to a £3 billion fund (the Green Homes Grant) for eco-friendly home improvements.

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is urging Chancellor Rishi Sunak to defer the deadline for the Green Homes Grant in his Spending Review later this month.

Builders need more time to take on Green Homes Grant projects, as many have full order books through to March 31 2021 when the scheme will close, the BMF warned.

The Green Homes Grant is expected to support 100,000 jobs in green construction and is part of a wider plan to upgrade the nation’s buildings as the UK aims to reach zero net emissions by 2050.

And while the BMF has welcomed the grant, it is urging a re-think on the deadline to avoid scuppering a substantial shift towards low- and zero-carbon home improvements.

Mr John Newcomb, BMF chief executive, said:

“The Government has made significant strides in supporting the construction industry during the pandemic, and the Green Homes Grant is a key part of that.

“We’re calling on the Chancellor to extend the grant deadline and allow people to plan their improvements and source a registered trader to undertake the work.

“The Green Homes Grant presents an enormous opportunity for people and companies to move towards a low- or zero-carbon future in their homes and workplaces.

“Feedback from our members indicates that a longer timeframe would ensure more people can access the grant, making greater inroads towards the Government’s target of zero net emissions by 2050.”

The BMF represents manufacturers of building materials and merchants across the UK and Ireland.

Around 76 per cent of the building products manufactured by its members, used in the construction of homes and buildings, are made in the UK.

Mr Newcomb added:

“Total membership of the BMF stands at 751 members, who together have combined sales of £38 billion and employ over 180,000 people in the building materials industry.

“This is an important sector which will be key in supporting delivery of improvements covered by the Green Homes Grant.”

Kindly shared by Builders Merchants Federation (BMF)

Main article photograph courtesy of Pixabay