The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Business Secretary’s announcement of £562 million to upgrade 50,000 households in social and local authority housing, low income and low energy efficiency rated homes across England and Scotland.
RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:
“Considering the need to address fuel poverty, I’m pleased to see the Government prioritise the upgrade of lower-income homes. But this pledge seriously underplays the scale of the problem.
At least 19 million UK homes require retrofitting: the £562m announced today to fund the upgrade of 50,000 is simply not enough.
As the Environmental Audit Committee recommended earlier this week, to reach the Government’s net zero target, we need an adequately funded National Retrofit Strategy.
The Strategy must also consider how people can be encouraged to update their own homes by reforming taxes such as stamp duty, council and inheritance tax – something we’ve been calling for through our Greener Homes campaign.
The Government must go further and faster to save our shameful housing stock.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Press contact: Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org or +44 (0) 20 7307 3811.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
