The Chair of the Prime Minister’s Policy Board, George Freeman MP, has launched a new report from the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC): ‘Building Places That Work for Everyone’.
The report profiles ways in which the construction and property industry can help to solve some of the biggest challenges facing Government, addressing the needs of those just about managing and supporting ‘communities left behind’.
This includes building more homes more quickly; improving public health; bringing down household bills; stimulating economic productivity; providing skilled jobs; and achieving the UK’s legally binding carbon reduction targets.
At a time when the Government is consulting on the Industrial Strategy and the Housing White Paper, as well as preparing the Emissions Reduction Plan and the UK Air Quality Plan, the construction and property industry is demonstrating an eagerness to work alongside policy makers to:
- Deliver the 1m homes set out by the Government, rapidly and sustainably
- Provide over 100,000 new jobs from energy efficiency
- Permanently reduce household bills and fuel poverty
- Reduce GP appointments for vulnerable residents through energy efficiency schemes
- Boost local employment and skills growth
- Create healthier lives and stronger communities.
Produced in consultation with industry, ‘Building Places That Work for Everyone’ sets out key policy principles that Government can use to set the right conditions for industry and unlock private sector investment. These include:
- Policy certainly to give businesses the confidence to invest in innovation and skills
- Public sector leadership in creating high quality, sustainable places to drive up standards across the market
- A long-term approach to a development’s contribution to the community
- Allowing industry the flexibility to identify the best approaches to delivery, avoiding unnecessary red tape.
The report features a wide range of case studies showcasing best practice from some of the UK’s leading designers, contractors and developers, and includes opinion pieces from the CEOs of Lendlease, E.ON, Kingfisher, WSP and Igloo Regeneration.
George Freeman MP, Chair of the Prime Minister's Policy Board, said: “The construction and property industry clearly plays a key role in helping the Government to unlock the economic and social potential from our built environment. This report from the UK Green Building Council will help to ensure that the Government works cohesively across all Departments to focus on the clear benefits to society from building efficient sustainable homes for everyone as we continue to grow our dynamic modern economy.”
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive, UK Green Building Council said: “UK-GBC is uniquely placed to help the Government tackle some of its key challenges in close partnership and collaboration with the built environment industry. Through publishing this report, we are launching a new conversation with policy-makers in pursuit of a shared vision in which the places we live and work can support multiple economic, social and environmental priorities; ultimately: building places that work for everyone.”
Dan Labbad, CEO International Operations, Lendlease said: "As we need to deliver more homes, faster, it is my contention that we will achieve this by delivering better homes as part of better places. Places that can facilitate skilling and job creation, emissions reductions and the creation of healthier environments for local people. This report from UK-GBC is the best example so far on how these Government priorities can be achieved by working with the industry."
