UKGBC reacts to Budget 2021 – a case of “Build Back Business As Usual”

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today reacted to the Chancellor’s Budget.

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today reacted to the Chancellor’s Budget.

Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC:

“In his speech today, the Chancellor insisted that this country needs a real commitment to green growth and to create jobs where people are.  However, ‘build back business as usual’ would be a more fitting description for the Government’s plans to build back better.

“We are still none the wiser about the fate of the Green Homes Grant scheme, which just a few short months ago the Chancellor told us would support over 100,000 jobs in green construction up and down the country.  UKGBC, together with many others in our industry, have strongly advocated that the £1.4bn of unspent funding be rolled over to 2021/22, but today’s Budget leaves both industry and householders still in the dark.

“Beyond the opportunities for green investment offered by the Infrastructure Bank and new green gilt and retail savings product, this Budget appears to ignore the huge part that greening our buildings can play in delivering our post-Covid economic recovery. Tackling carbon emissions from buildings – particularly the existing housing stock – is not easy, but we cannot afford to duck the challenge any longer.

“The chancellor’s emphasis on local growth is also welcome, as we recognise that local authorities have a vital role to play in seizing local green growth opportunities. However, local authorities alone cannot deliver the change we need without central government leading from the front. The Chancellor’s ‘investment-led’ green recovery should not ignore the voice of the industry calling for a national retrofit strategy to unlock vital green jobs across the whole country.”

The Government’s Budget documents are available here.

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