Small to medium-sized (SME) house builders stand ready to build environmentally friendly homes, but need greater support to do so after a difficult year for business, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) following the Government’s response to the Future Homes Standard consultation.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Local SME house builders deliver high quality, beautiful homes, many of which are low carbon. These are exactly the type of homes that need to be at the heart of Government’s plans to improve the environmental credentials of our new build housing. Unfortunately the timetable set out today will be a challenge for builders without more support to build back greener. The Government’s Green Jobs Task Force must develop a nationwide training programme to upskill the existing workforce and bring new entrants into the building industry. The Government should also use the forthcoming Budget to tackle some of the long-standing barriers facing local builders such as poorly resourced planning departments. It’s unacceptable that small site planning applications are typically waiting one year for a determination.”

Berry concluded: “A focus on future homes shouldn’t forget Britain’s 28 million existing homes, many of which are energy inefficient, and 85% of which will still be in use in 2050. These homes need to be retrofitted to help deliver the Government’s net zero carbon targets as well as creating much-needed jobs and training opportunities in each community across the country.”