May15th

Parliamentary launch of The Big Green Home initiative

Last week I was at the House of Commons in the company of Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who was speaking at the special Parliamentary launch of The Big Green Home, a major new initiative by the National Home Home Improvement Council (NHIC) and British Gas to move UK’s existing housing stock towards low carbon emissions and water conservation.

At the centre of this initiative is a website which will provide householders with the opportunity to identify the type and style of dwelling in which they live and then find out the requirements necessary to bring it into line with good energy efficiency and lifestyle practice.

I think there is going to be a lot of public interest in this initiative. In order for the Big Green Home website to be as comprehensive as possible in terms of appropriate products, materials and systems, they are looking for other companies and organisations, as well as professionals, to join in and create wide-ranging links, part of what Ed Miliband describes as an “industry coalition” for energy efficient home improvements. It is also a great marketing opportunity

Ed Miliband believes The Big Green Home will help put Britain “at the forefront of energy efficiency measures in existing homes and show that we can lead the world on the drive towards low carbon”. If you want to know more about how to be a part of this new coalition do contact Andrew Leech, Director of the NHIC on 020 7448 3853 or andrew@nhic.org.uk

Other industry news this week included concern about how the downturn in construction has ‘displaced’ over 2,000 apprentices, renewing fears of future skills shortage. In response, ConstructionSkills have launched an initiative which includes an expanded Apprenticeship Matching Service, which seeks to find new work placements for apprentices who cannot continue training with their original employer. You can follow the link in the story below to find out more, especially if you may be able to help.
This comment was originally published in the Buildingtalk Newsletter

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About the Author

Buildingtalk and this Editor's Blog are edited by Howard Chapman

Howard Chapman

Howard Chapman is a freelance writer who has worked for a number of years in design and marketing, particularly within the construction industry. As a publisher he has launched magazines in the manufacturing and exporting sectors of industry. His focus now is in the developing e-magazine sector, both in construction and engineering.

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