Trade bodies raise concerns over the Government’s Warm Homes Plan

​​​​​​​The Builders Merchants Federation and Federation of Home Builders share their apprehensions about the new Warm Homes Plan

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan needs to adopt a fabric-first approach to ensure it delivers warmer homes across the UK.

The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) is concerned that the benefits of introducing energy-efficient measures, such as heat pumps and solar power, could backfire if properties are not properly insulated.

Property upgradation
Likewise, the Federation of Master Builders argues that the Warm Homes Plan is limited. Brian Berry, CEO of FMB, says: "We must keep sight of the remaining 25 million UK homes that will still need upgrading at some point to make them fit for the future.

“While this intervention from the Government is needed, there must be incentives to get the industry moving, to make sure they are competent and skilled up to upgrade the majority of the UK's homes."

“Focusing on the now, the task will be delivery,” he adds. The new Warm Homes Agency must get up and running quickly to coordinate programmes and consumer protections, with procurement routes that give SMEs a fair chance to win work.

“The creation of a new Workforce Taskforce is also an important step. If the plan is to succeed, the Government must give industry a genuinely stable pipeline: multi‑year funding, a clear timetable, and certainty over future standards and regulations. Consistency will be essential if small builders are to invest in skills."

Proper insulation
Similarly, John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, notes: “We are concerned that, while there is support from Government on measures including solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps in the plan, there is a lack of focus on insulation.

“It seems illogical that a £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant can be claimed without measures to properly insulate homes first.

“Insulation reduces heat loss, lowers energy demands and cuts bills. It is essential to support low-carbon heating technologies. 

“We will be calling on the Government to ensure that it is not only given greater emphasis in the plan, but measures are introduced to ensure it is installed professionally, with a focus on quality, for customer reassurance and maximum efficiency.”

Fabric-first
Mike Beard, merchant development director of The Encon Group, is the Chair of the BMF’s Insulation and Dry-Lining Forum. He said: “It’s good to see details of the Warm Homes Plan and to understand how the Government proposes to deliver its manifesto commitment to spend £15 billion to lower energy costs and improve the quality of our existing housing stock.

“However, it’s imperative that we don’t lose sight of the need for fabric-first, well-insulated properties, and insulation plays a key part in this.

“It’s essential to deliver efficiency measures with consideration to other thermally efficient solutions too, otherwise it will be like running a bath and not putting the plug in.

“It is also vital that the new scheme is supported by robust checks and balances so everyone can have confidence in investing in quality, professional installations.”