Member News
By Lesley Foottit - 21st September 2009
The need to improve Britain's housing stock to meet a wide range of environmental standards has been on the agenda at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth.
During a 'sustainable living' fringe event, supported by Velux, panellists faced questions on how to tackle the UK's various housing problems.
Lib Dem communities spokesman Dan Rogerson expressed his disappointment at the attitude of the government towards regulations for new builds, which, he said, had been watered down.
He stressed the importance of the wider issue of sustainable living, with higher aspirations and tougher targets for new developments.
And he blamed VAT rates for creating disincentives to regeneration and renovation, saying changes could boost the economy.
"One of the crucial element in getting out of this downturn and recession will be around regeneration and the ability to create green jobs, and to look at where we can be more efficient in terms of energy as well," he said.
"We are committed still to changing VAT so that we are able to stimulate more renovation and retro-fitting of existing housing stock and that we are also very much aware of the need to do all that we can to promote good design."
A key issue raised at the fringe meeting was that of lighting in modern homes. As energy prices rise, new builds are tempted to compensate by installing smaller windows, which compromise the light transmittance.
"People are happier when they have access to natural light. We need enjoyable placed to live to help the generations of the future," said Rogerson.
Simon Hughes also backed plans to make all home energy efficient by 2020.
In his contribution, the Lib Dem climate change spokesman noted the keenness of industry bodies to work on schemes to deal with energy efficiency.
He said there was a need to deliver it not just for new homes but also across the existing housing stock.
The aim should be to make homes "a healthy place" and improve quality of life.
On fuel poverty, Hughes said: "By legislating better, we need to make it impossible for the energy companies to charge you more because you pay by a route that actually means you are more likely to use it if you are poor."
Questions from the floor noted that a lack of space, a lack of affordable special facilities for the disabled and a shortage of housing altogether also remain problems.
Kevin Brennan, head of sustainability at Velux, noted that the UK has, on average, the smallest houses in Europe at only 76.5 square metres
He argued: "The whole building supply chain has forgotten why we build buildings. We build buildings to house people, and people have been forgotten in that process.
"We'd like to get that back into the whole supply chain for buildings."
Listen to fringe audio
John Pugh MP (chairman)
Dan Rogerson MP, local government spokesman
Simon Hughes MP, climate change spokesman
Dr Richard Hobday, University of Wales Institute
Kevin Brennan, Velux
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd