8 News BSRIA reaction to 2015 summer budget


BSRIA Chief Executive, Julia Evans, has given her reaction to the Chancellor’s Summer Budget.


■ One million extra jobs to be created by 2020/new apprenticeship levy for large employers.


BSRIA welcomes this announcement – and with the construction industry crying out for highly skilled staff – investment is needed now – both to attract new entrants into the industry and train them – and, indeed, train and upskill staff already in the industry. The construction industry is currently suffering from a major skills shortage. Any measures that attract new entrants will be welcomed.


■ Housebuilding targets have been set – but who is going to be building houses?


BSRIA sees the training of construction industry apprenticeships as critical, if the government is serious about boosting apprenticeships, it should focus on improving the quality of apprenticeships to make them more attractive to employers – especially in the construction


industry. Businesses of all sizes need positive encouragement and an apprenticeship system that meets their needs. As an industry, we need to invest now in recruiting and developing the skills we are going to need to deliver the high volume of energy efficient homes required. This includes presenting the industry as a viable long term career choice. Last year, the construction industry had 16,000


apprenticeships. Considering the construction industries’ GDP contribution, this figure needs to grow to around 40,000 per year.


■ Social housing sector rents Rents in the social housing sector will be reduced by 1% a year for the next four years. Will this lead to a reduction in investment to ensure housing is energy efficient? And will it discourage building of new housing? Energy efficiency in housing – both existing and new – is essential. Measures in testing for such energy efficiency and, indeed investing in existing housing stock is vital. It is clear that if financial reductions are being made in this sector – then the


industry is at risk of losing energy efficiency credentials elsewhere. This potentially puts improvements in energy performance in jeopardy – which is clearly unacceptable.


■ Climate Change Levy exemption for renewable energy to be removed “After the announcement that renewable power generators would no longer be exempt from the Climate Change Levy, BSRIA is concerned that this could lead to a lower take up of renewable energy – such green credentials must play a part in achieving the carbon emissions targets. Delivering the change that is required to meet the carbon emission targets will require long term investment from industry; this will only happen if it has the confidence to do so. Government needs to agree an action plan that will deliver low-carbon heat and energy efficient homes.”


■ Corporation Tax


The Chancellor’s commitment to further cut Corporation Tax is a clear sign that Britain “is open for business”, however, it could be asked if this should be linked to improved energy efficiency.


Doubling R1234yf supply


CHEMOURS


FLUOROPRODUCTS HAS doubled the supply of low- GWP R1234yf refrigerant in Zhonghao, China. The additional supply enables Chemours to meet growing needs for more sustainable mobile and stationary air conditioning applications. R1234yf was originally developed in response to Europe’s Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive, which called for the use of a refrigerant that has a GWP below 150. Chemours now forecasts that there will be more than nine million vehicles using R1234yf on the road by the end of 2015.


“Chemours has put in place aftermarket distribution capabilities in 40 countries in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa, and across the United States,” commented Diego Boeri, global business director, Chemours Fluorochemicals.


Jim Marner elected B&ES president 2015/2016


JIM MARNER HAS been elected president of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) for 2015/16.


Mr Marner has 32 years’ experience in the building and engineering services sector with his current employer Shepherd Engineering Services (SES). Having joined the firm as a craft apprentice in 1982, he has since made many valued and successful strategic contributions to the business. As a renowned and popular business leader – whose responsibilities include the North, including Scotland, and business activities in the South – he brings to the Association a distinguished national presence. In recognising his knowledge of members’ businesses, their clients


ACR News August 2015


ongoing legacy by creating opportunities for growth and advancement for those around him.


Within B&ES, he was a member of the Council of the Association from 2003 to 2006 and chairman of the North West Region from 2006 to 2008. In 2012, he was elected to the chairmanship of Yorkshire Region, and returned to Council in the same year.


and the wider construction industry, the Association is looking forward to his assured leadership.


His career path has taken in many senior positions within major national contractor SES – including North West regional director, Yorkshire regional director, divisional


director North, national pre-construction director and business development director.


Throughout his career, he has maintained a commitment to his own development and achievement – both personal and professional – and has also established an


Jim Marner succeeded to the presidency of B&ES at its annual general meeting on 9 July 2015.


At the same meeting, Malcolm Thomson of Enigma Environmental Services became president elect, and Tim Hopkinson of Hargreaves Ductwork was elected vice president. Andy Sneyd will serve during 2015/16 as immediate past president.


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