"Turgid" and "underwhelming" – trade responds to budget

“Turgid” and "boring” was how Timber Trade Federation chief executive John White described the budget announcement.

“There’s nothing there to excite the world at large,” said Mr White. “But the chancellor made it clear that’s what he wanted to do.

“He wants to ensure some stability in a time of economic uncertainty.”

Mr White highlighted news that the government would set up a new Centre for Expertise in Sustainable Procurement in order to drive up standards in sustainable procurement for public sector buyers.

The move, Mr White said, could mean sustainable procurement practices being extended from timber to other building materials – a much debated issue.

“Why should timber be the only material to be focused on? We have the best environmental credentials known to man if the timber is sourced sustainably.

“Other materials are lowering their environmental impact but they’re never going to be as low as timber and they will never be renewable.”

Mr White said there had been informal discussions between the TTF and government regarding the issue.

“We support the announcement of a new Centre for Expertise in Sustainable Procurement," added Stewart Dalgarno, chairman of the UK Timber Frame Association.

"At a time when everyone’s claiming to be greener than green - even the world’s most polluting building materials - it’s absolutely right that all sectors are scrutinised and provide a clear audit trail to prove their sustainability credentials. Timber has a head start in this respect."

Pat Burke, group purchasing director at Arnold Laver Timber World, described the budget as "underwhelming" and said "it does not appear to be a budget to stimulate growth".

"It's quite underwhelming for our trade and those elements of the economy which we rely upon to consume timber products," said Mr Burke.

"Thank goodness we have a temporary delay in the 2p fuel increase. Otherwise I think he has failed to set any clear direction in any quarter."

However, British Woodworking Federation chief executive Richard Lambert said that the target for non-domestic buildings to be carbon neutral by 2019 was a "tremendous opportunity" for the timber and wood-related industries as it meant all new buildings would be carbon neutral by the end of the next decade.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for the timber and wood sector but there is a need to get life cycle assessments in place to prove the carbon neutrality of products," he said.

"The industry has got to address this as a priority and needs to get the information out there."

"We know the technical challenges of achieving zero carbon buildings are tough, but timber frame is well placed to provide part of the solution," added Mr Dalgarno. "The zero carbon agenda will drive our market for many years to come."

Elsewhere in the budget, Mr White said he was disappointed there was not more focus on environmental taxation.

Budget focus points include a postponement of a planned 2p fuel duty rise until October and a target for all new non-domestic buildings to be zero carbon by 2019. Capital Gains Tax is also being kept at 10% for small firms.

The government has cut its economic growth forecast for 2008 by 0.25% to 1.75%-2.25%.