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News Release from: National Home Improvement Council [NHIC] | Subject: Maintaining UK housing standards.
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 December 2005
NHIC highlight importance of home
modernisation
NHIC letter to new Conservative Party leader highlights importance of home modernisation.
Graham Ponting, Director of the National Home Improvement Council, has written to David Cameron, MP, congratulating him on his new role as Leader of the Conservative Party and highlighting the ongoing importance of maintaining UK housing standards Ponting points out: "For over thirty years the NHIC has lobbied hard and consistently for the refurbishment and updating of many millions of homes in the UK
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 30 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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We are proud that our considerable efforts were substantially reflected in the last English House Conditions survey which, thankfully, showed a noticeable improvement".
He draws David Cameron's attention to the "indisputable fact" that the greater majority of both private and social housing standing today would still be around in 100 years time.
"So it is imperative," he continues, "that they are maintained to the highest possible standards, and that they are energy efficient and affordable to run.
Poor housing promotes ill health and leads to fuel poverty".
In view of the growing demand for new households, Ponting says, "It is especially important that we look at new and exciting ways to make good use of homes that have fallen into disrepair, plus the hundreds of thousands of buildings lying idle in our urban and rural environments that could be economically converted into homes for sale or rent".
He also explains the "sad fact" that some 5.6m private sector homes were classified as non-decent!.
"So it is currently one of our top priorities to encourage government incentives, such as a substantial reduction in VAT on home improvements and special grants, to persuade and help private sector homeowners to bring their most valuable assets up to 21st century standards.
"As you can see, there is still very much to be done and under the Presidency of Lord Brooke we aim to keep up the pressure across the spectrum of home and environmental renovations and improvements".
Ponting concludes: "So we trust we may continue to enjoy the support of you and your colleagues for the NHIC's substantial ongoing undertaking.".
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