UKGBC chief challenges Government

Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, is calling for the Government to revive its commitment to green growth in tomorrow’s Budget (March 21).

King was speaking today (March 20) on the opening day of Ecobuild, the sustainable building exhibition and conference.

Just 24 hours before the Budget, King challenged the Government to “keep pace with industry”, saying the UK is in danger of missing out on the economic and social benefits of energy efficient homes and buildings unless Government matches the ambition shown by the private sector and provides the necessary confidence for industry to invest in new green services and technologies.

However, he warned of possible delays in the implementation, saying: “better to go slow and get it right than fast and get slated by Daily Mail”.

King said: “60,000 people from across the construction and property sector are at Ecobuild this week, not because they want to save the planet, but because they see the potential for green growth. George Osborne needs to show the same vision in the Budget.

“There are three things that government needs to deliver in this Budget – confidence, confidence, confidence. That means driving take-up of the flagship ‘Green Deal’ scheme; providing incentives for businesses to invest in energy efficiency; and encouraging industry to invest in the skills needed in a low carbon future.”

King also called upon minister Greg Barker – who had been delayed in getting there by the Queen’s Jubille Address in Parliament – to “keep up the pressure on colleagues across Government to ensure we make the most of the tremendous opportunity that green design and construction can play in the UK’s economic recovery. The question that needs to be answered is, when it comes to green building, does this government mean business?”