As a nation, patriotism is something we normally tend to shy away from, unlike our loud and proud American cousins. It seems to be in our collective nature to be self-deprecating and modest about our achievements; it’s just ‘not cricket’ to brag about how successful you are.
However, there’s nothing like a royal event to muster up the bunting and Union Jack waving crowds, so this month be prepared to be swept up in a red, white and blue sea of national pride as we celebrate our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Unless of course you’re a sworn republican – but at least you’ve got that extra long bank holiday weekend to enjoy how you like.
Sixty years ago, when Elizabeth II ascended the throne, the construction industry was on the verge of one of its busiest periods. With more than 1 million homes destroyed in the Second World War, combined with the slum clearance programmes of the inner cities, public house building was a national priority. Housing Minister Harold Macmillan’s pledge to deliver 300,000 new homes a year led to the industry’s drive to speed up construction.
Once the rationing of building materials was lifted in 1954, a host of revolutionary new materials started coming on stream, such as plywood, Formica and plastics. Mobile cranes were used for the first time in house building and mobile offices were beginning to spring up on sites.
Fast-forward to 2012 and our construction industry has a new mission – to build a greener Britain.
The Government’s flagship ‘Green Deal’ policy will allow the owners of homes and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their property at no upfront cost, helping to cut carbon emissions and lower energy bills.
This will be a significant moment for the building industry. The Government expects the scheme to kick start £14 billion investment over the next decade and support at least 65,000 new insulation and construction jobs by 2015. The potential for the Green Deal to create growth and jobs is extremely welcome to most in the industry, particularly in the context of a fragile economic recovery.
However, in order to succeed, the Government must generate business confidence in the scheme by sending clear policy signals. As politicians and lobbyists continue to scrutinise the details and make amendments to the policy it looks like the Green Deal will be beaten black and blue before it reaches its autumn launch.
Time they nailed their colours to the Green Deal mast…
Heather Campbell
Editor
