The following is a sample of reactions from the CPA membership to this week’s announcement from the Chancellor:
Brick Development Association:
“The Brick Development Association (BDA) welcomes the news that the Government has committed to investing £7bn into 400,000 new homes.
“Simon Hay, CEO of the Brick Development Association commented: “‘We are pleased by the provision of £7bn for new homes. The focus now must be on turning housing promises into on-the-ground project delivery.
“‘We look forward making our contribution to addressing the chronic housing shortage that has built up over recent decades. The re-openings and development of new brick plants are already incredibly positive signs in the revitalisation of the housebuilding sector.”’
For the full BDA comments, please click here.
“Our initial reaction to George Osborne’s statement is that it presents a mixed bag for manufacturers in the ceramic sectors. We welcome the establishment of a ‘ceramic valley’ enterprise zone in Stoke-on-Trent, and the Government’s commitment to building more houses over the next five years. However, the failure of the Chancellor to provide certainty on energy costs presents a grim outlook for our members. Moreover, the widening of the apprenticeship levy to catch many more small and medium-sized businesses is very unwelcome.”
For the full BCC comments, please click here.
British Woodworking Federation
“The BWF has responded to today's Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review from the Chancellor, endorsing the plans to build more homes but warning that the Chancellor’s vision will be undermined if the UK construction industry cannot meet the subsequent demand for skilled workers and high quality apprenticeships.
“Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF, said:
“‘The BWF welcomes measures to increase housebuilding as that boosts the market for many of the high quality timber products and services provided by our members. But even given the newest technologies, offsite manufacturing and fast-tracked planning, the nation cannot benefit from a boost in homebuilding when our physical capacity risks being constrained by a widening skills gap and continued uncertainty here creates challenge.
“‘A steady flow of new joiners and carpenters is critical to the Chancellor’s new housing ambitions. We have already warned that there could be a catastrophic collapse in apprenticeships if the CITB’s services are lost to construction and this would undermine the whole vision expressed by the Chancellor today.”’
For the full BWF comments, please click here.
“A priority for Build UK members, as identified in Build UK’s comprehensive response to the Apprenticeship Levy consultation earlier this year, is the implications of the new levy on the existing CITB Levy and Grants Scheme. Whilst no announcements have been made, the Government acknowledged that responses to the consultation had shown that “industries that already contribute to an existing levy system do not wish to contribute to two levies at once” and it will have further discussion with CITB and employers.”
For the full CFA comments, please click here.
UK Green Building Council (a CPA Associate)
“In the run-up to the Spending Review, leading businesses and charities have been calling for the Government to recognise energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority and use infrastructure funds to improve the homes of vulnerable householders. Energy efficiency can reduce ongoing housing costs by reducing energy bills and tackling fuel poverty.
“However the Chancellor today has failed to announce support for energy efficiency from capital infrastructure budgets and has announced significant cuts to existing funding through the Energy Company Obligation and the Renewable Heat Incentive. These cuts are likely to see a significant reduction in installation rates for energy efficiency over the next five years.”
For the full UKGBC comments, please click here.