Sonar Report Urges UK Government to Back Historic Building Retrofits
Sonar Development, part of the Sonar Group, has published a report advocating for the retrofitting of historic buildings in the UK. The report urges the government to make the apprenticeship levy more flexible for heritage retrofit training, as this could significantly reduce the country's carbon emissions and stimulate economic growth.
The report highlights that buildings contribute to around one fifth of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the 2050 net-zero target, the report suggests that retrofitting could reduce these emissions by 5%.
The construction industry stands to benefit from this shift. Prioritising historic buildings can create jobs, with an estimated 105,000 new workers needed annually for the next three decades. This could also boost tourism and generate £35bn in economic output.
However, retrofitting requires a skilled workforce. The report encourages the government to make the apprenticeship levy more flexible for heritage retrofit training. Currently, £3.3bn of unused levy funds are returned to the Treasury annually. By repurposing this money, the industry can invest in training plumbers and other tradespeople to use heat pumps and hydrogen boilers on historic sites.
The report from Sonar Development underscores the potential of retrofitting historic buildings in the UK. By reducing emissions, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth, this approach could be a win-win for the environment and the construction industry. The government is urged to support this initiative by making the apprenticeship levy more flexible for heritage retrofit training.
