The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is urging the Government to create a strategy for dealing with the UK's existing building stock.

Speaking at Ecobuild, the world's largest event dedicated to the built environment, Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said: "The UK's building stock is responsible for 47% of the UK’s carbon emissions and 85% of these buildings will still be in use in 2050 when the Government plans to have cut carbon emissions by 80%. Building zero carbon new homes is not enough; the Government must look at refurbishing the existing building stock.

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"The construction industry is at its bleakest position since the 1980s. 300,000 jobs are expected to be lost and with them thousands of valuable skilled workers. However, the Government could kill two birds with one stone by setting out its strategy to renovate existing buildings to eco-excellent standards. Research from Oxford University suggests that this could create a £3.5billion market for the construction sector not to mention the benefits for the environment and individual homeowners as their energy bills would be reduced through energy efficiency."

Mr Diment concluded: "The Government needs to act now to save jobs, save homeowners money at this difficult time, and to save the built environment. A cut in VAT to five percent on home maintenance and repairs would be a very welcome initial step forward as it would encourage homeowners to carry out more energy efficiency projects."

(CD/JM)