Response to new Chancellor Rachel Reeves speech

Stephanie Baxter, Head of Policy at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said: “It is welcome to see a focus from the Chancellor on key issues such as the industrial strategy, skills and planning reform."

"Actions now more than ever before need to take a whole systems approach as new builds alone will not tackle the critical need for retrofit, an area in which there is a significant skill shortage of technicians. Meanwhile embedding high-quality data feedback into existing infrastructure, via a digital twin, would ensure that planning and retrofit were targeted at areas with most opportunities for gain, in the first instance.

Technology is critical

“Technology is critical in planning reform, whether it is working with local stakeholders to ensure a smooth and effective grid connection for new wind farms or ensuring that current housing in the UK has zero carbon emissions from space and water heating, and space cooling.

“New builds need to have a good planning regime in place so that the right building stock is built – the planning stage is key to what this looks like. Modern more sustainable methods of construction must become the norm and is possible now.

Innovation will help reduce costs

“New and innovative products will always assist in reducing costs and improving energy performance, but sufficient work has already been done in research and pilot studies, to show that massively reducing the carbon emissions and energy requirements of current housing is achievable and needs to be done. Retrofitting has other benefits too, making cold homes warmer, healthier and reducing bills, which has a much bigger impact across the UK.

Improve poor quality housing

“Poor-quality housing leads to poor health outcomes. It has been estimated that it costs the NHS £1.4 billion per annum in additional treatment costs for conditions arising from bad housing. At least £145 million of those costs arise directly from cold homes. Warmer housing could also prevent many of the 35,000 excess winter deaths recorded annually.

A holistic approach including sustainability and skills

“Planning reform using new technologies, will be critical to the success of the announcements today but it cannot be achieved without a holistic approach that considers sustainability, skills and the UK’s innovation strategy.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

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