Government must show the construction sector it really means business

On Tuesday 20th March, Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, will address the Ecobuild conference alongside keynote speaker Gregory Barker MP, Minister for Climate Change, and call for the Government to revive its commitment to green growth in this Wednesday’s Budget announcement.

Ecobuild, held at London’s ExCeL, is said to be the world's largest trade show and conference on sustainable building.

Just 24 hours before the Budget, Mr King will challenge Government to "keep pace with industry", saying the UK is in danger of missing out on the economic and social benefits of energy efficient homes and buildings unless Government matches the ambition shown by the private sector and provides the necessary confidence for industry to invest in new green services and technologies.

Mr King will say: "60,000 people from across the construction and property sector are at Ecobuild this week, not because they want to save the planet, but because they see the potential for green growth. George Osborne needs to show the same vision in the Budget.

"There are three things that government needs to deliver in this Budget - confidence, confidence, confidence. That means driving take-up of the flagship 'Green Deal' scheme; providing incentives for businesses to invest in energy efficiency; and encouraging industry to invest in the skills needed in a low carbon future."

Mr King will call on minister Greg Barker to "keep up the pressure on colleagues across Government to ensure we make the most of the tremendous opportunity that green design and construction can play in the UK's economic recovery. The question that needs to be answered is, when it comes to green building, does this government mean business?"

Source : Builders Merchants’ News
www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5704/Government_must_show_the_construction_sector_it_really_means_business.html