The UK Government has set a target for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment by 2025.

Further details of a Sector Deal between the Government and industry, as part of the Industrial Strategy white paper, have been unveiled by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark today, 29 November.

As well as reducing emissions, three other key objectives have been outlined by the Government;

• 50% reduction in the time taken from beginning-to-end of new build and refurbished assets

• 50% reduction in the trade gap between total exports and total imports of construction products and materials

• 33% reduction in the cost of construction and the whole life cost of assets

Supported by £170 million of government investment over three years through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, and £250m of match funding from industry, Business Secretary Greg Clark said the Sector Deal will see government and industry "working together to support, invest and transform the construction sector, creating high-skilled and well-paying jobs, while delivering more housing for people across the country".

"The agreement embodies our vision for a modern Industrial Strategy, with government and industry working together in a strategic partnership towards the common goal of higher productivity, and a more skilled construction workforce with more earning power," he said.

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Three key themes have been outlined as part of the deal;

• a reformed Construction Industry Training Board, with greater industry leadership and engagement, focused on delivering future skills needs – particularly amongst SMEs

• a co-ordinated approach to maximising the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy – creating new apprenticeship trailblazers, and increasing the number of construction apprentices

• a unified and more effective industry approach to promoting construction careers, and removing barriers to employment in the industry

In addition, £64m is being invested for digital and construction training to help upskill the workforce for the future, while construction is to be be one of the first of four 'T levels' to be taught from 2020.

The Government has also announced the launch of the Centre for Digital Built Britain at the University of Cambridge, which will develop Building Information Modelling (BIM), sensors, data analytics and smart systems technologies that can be embedded in new building projects,

Up to £1.4m will also be invested in an AEOCOM-led research project called 'Building for 2050'. The scheme, which is currently gathering evidence from three housing developments located in Swansea, Bristol and Manchester, will test innovative methods of construction and uncover the barriers to developing low cost, low carbon housing.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said: "I am delighted that construction has been included in the first wave of sector deals. It presents a huge opportunity for one of the UK's largest industries and the broader economy.

"With a projected £600 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects to be delivered over the coming decades, it is vital that the industry and government work together to realise the full potential of the deal.

"We have a golden opportunity to reap economic gains from improved productivity and the more efficient construction of assets, creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs in all parts of the UK and driving up exports to the global infrastructure market."

(LM)