Increased government expenditure on the built environment and infrastructure has been welcomed by the timber industry.
In his latest Comprehensive Spending Review chancellor Gordon Brown announced a £1bn increase in the housing budget and substantial increases in the transport budget.
Richard Lambert, director of the British Woodworking Federation, said the increased housing budget is particularly good news as local authorities and housing associations are beginning to favour timber over PVCu. “They are having to look at the whole cost of the building and work tightly under the Egan principles, plus they are under pressure to demonstrate they are working towards sustainability goals”, he said.
“That makes it very favourable for timber windows particularly, but they will be looking at all forms of timber construction products.
“And it is not just new build – they are looking to substantially repair existing buildings. There are something like 10,000 local authority buildings needing repair and there could be other spin off benefits from spending in other sectors.”
Mark O’Brien, head of public affairs at the Timber Trade Federation, said: “The government is running the risk that its clear return to tax and spend economics at a time of major global stock market turbulence could result in stalled economic growth, leading to even higher taxes or borrowing. In addition, the government has yet to prove that it can deliver reform of public services rather than just pouring more money down a black hole.”
