BSRIA comments on the 2020 BudgetMarch 2020

BSRIA Technical Director, Colin Goodwin, said: 

“While BSRIA supports the government endeavour to revitalise the construction industry and to provide solid foundation for the Net 0 carbon economy target, we feel that the Get Britain Building program poses challenges and the commitment to deliver at least 1 million homes at the end of this Parliament is an ambitious target.

Holistic approach will be needed to reach the goals, including uptake of digital technologies, new construction methods and focus on quality as well as on quantity to be delivered. Improved construction practices and processes but also good level of professional knowledge and quality of skills of those who deliver and operate our buildings will be of prevalent importance.”

BSRIA Commercial Director, Krystyna Dawson, said:

“The budget unveils support for technologies that will help deliver the decarbonisation of economy by 2050, announcing push for green gas, carbon capture and storage needed to progress wider hydrogen roll out, heat pumps and greener heat networks. Figures quoted in the budget foresee GBP 800 million support for the development of 2 sites for Carbon Capture & Storage by 2030, GBP 270 million investment in a new Green Heat Networks Scheme and GBP 100million funding for a Low Carbon Heat Support to come into effect from March 2022. The budget mentions consultation on introducing this new scheme (as a replacement of the current Renewable Heat Incentive programme) to help households and small businesses to install heat pumps and biomass boilers.

Financial support is one of the levers for the wider market adoption of heat pumps but there seems not to be much consideration for market capabilities to deliver. Current deficiency of professionals able to install well-functioning low carbon systems in British homes will turn into acute lack at the time of higher demand without widely available quality training and guidance. BSRIA will be working closely with its members and industry partners to ensure that high quality skills are in place when and where they will be needed.”