A new report from the National Retrofit Hub (NRH) is calling for better direction in the country’s retrofit strategy
The UK retrofit system requires a long-term direction and stronger local delivery, according to the report A Vision for a Strong Retrofit System.
The NRH has produced this report in partnership with Baily Garner, and is to be launched at the NRH Obviously! Summit.
Offering a framework for building a strategy
Besides discussing current events, the report is also intended to be used by people and organisations across the country to act as a framework for considering what changes can create a stronger system.
The Warm Homes Plan is a good start, but the report argues that the methods used in achieving the plan must go further to realise full ambitions. A stronger system for retrofit will also be needed to support delivery of the plan.
So far, support has mostly seen shorter-term funding and programmes, making retention of skilled teams and delivery capacity difficult to maintain. Therefore, public investment will be needed, according to the report, as well as a change in the understanding of success to consider how homes are made healthier, more comfortable, affordable, and resilient for occupants alongside the number of installed retrofit measures.
Sara Edmonds, co-director of the National Retrofit Hub, said: “The Warm Homes Plan gives us a significant opportunity to improve millions of homes, but programmes alone will not create the retrofit system the country needs.
“We need to build the capability that allows good work to continue beyond individual funding cycles. That means giving organisations greater certainty, making better use of local knowledge, and involving communities much earlier in the decisions that affect their homes.
“This report offers a practical framework for that change and an invitation to everyone working across the system to consider the role they can play.”
The full report can be read here.
Other guidance to aid authorities with retrofit
Earlier this month, the Greener Homes and Good Local Jobs Procurement Guidance was published by climate solutions charity Ashden in partnership with Efficiency North, the National Retrofit Hub, and the UK Green Building Council.
Simeon Perry, head of ESG at Efficiency North, said: “Retrofit is not simply an opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of homes; it’s also an opportunity to invest in the people and communities delivering that transformation.
“For housing providers, addressing local skills shortages can help support better-quality delivery and more resilient programmes, while also creating opportunities for their own residents. The procurement guidance provides practical advice on how to build this into procurement, with the flexibility to deliver different types of social value and consider it from the outset and throughout the contract lifecycle.”
Read more about the guide here.
