Timber Development UK (TDUK) welcomes the announcements made by the Government of their legislative priorities in today’s Kings Speech, much of which was centred on a key pledge to ‘get Britain building’ and a mission for economic growth.
With planning reform the first bill [Planning and Infrastructure Bill] announced, which comes just a week after the approval by Ed Miliband of three new solar farms, we are glad to see indications this is a Government willing to act.
If the Government can unlock greater housebuilding timber will be poised to benefit from these changes, particularly if they aim to achieve ‘sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills and new technologies’.
TDUK was also pleased to see the Kings Speech committed to reform of the apprenticeship levy. This was one of the key changes we called for in our recent Timber in Construction Manifesto; to help upskill workers to future proof and retrofit millions of UK homes, and create more sustainable new builds.
Together with a ‘reset’ and work to improve the United Kingdom’s trade and investment relationship with the European Union, we are hopeful this speech reflects a Government willing to do the work required to boost our economy.
TDUK maintains the quickest way the Government could show a more pragmatic approach to this relationship, from the perspective of our membership, would be by allowing CE marking on construction products to be recognised indefinitely in the UK.
Of course, while today was a good start, we still need to see far greater investment and ambition to overcome our climate and housing challenges. We will be continuing to engage with Government to advocate for an era of more high quality, low-carbon, safe and sustainable construction in the UK – with timber as a key material.
