The government must commit to a fully funded national programme of building retrofits which has human health and wellbeing at its heart, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
The Association, which represents firms working across the residential and commercial building sectors, said improving standards in homes would help to drive economic growth in line with government targets, improve social outcomes and create jobs.
It has backed a new mission paper launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings (HHB) that sets out a series of policy changes and political strategies including mandating minimum housing standards and investing in the regeneration of sub-standard homes.
BESA said “an urgent commitment” to creating better buildings would reduce pressure on the NHS and cut crime. Embedding indoor air quality (IAQ) standards into housing policy would also help to tackle the growing scandal of damp and mould that is linked to a national epidemic of respiratory disease.
It backed the APPG’s appeal for the government to include IAQ measures in energy performance certificates (EPCs) and emphasised how the work needed to decarbonise buildings would also make them healthier.
“Putting high quality, energy efficient homes at the heart of its growth agenda will help the government meet its net zero targets and create tens of thousands of new ‘green’ jobs,” said BESA’s technical director Kevin Morrissey.
BESA is one of the sponsors of the all-party group, whose ‘Mission for Change’ paper calls for urgent action to address “health inequalities and embed wellbeing principles in future legislation”.
It said that 1 in 10 people were living in poor quality housing at an annual cost of £1.4 billion to the NHS. The MPs who make up the group said the government needed to recognise the central importance of healthy homes and buildings to the delivery of its five main missions: stronger, safer communities; an NHS fit for the future; breaking down barriers to opportunity; making Britain a clean energy superpower; and kickstarting economic growth.
“Everyone has the right to live in a healthy home,” said the APPG chair Lord Bethel. “The government must now take a holistic, joined-up approach that recognises the inextricable link between health and housing.
“Poor-quality homes contribute to worsening health outcomes, increased NHS costs, lower educational attainment and deeper social inequality,” he added.
The parliamentary group estimated that a national retrofit strategy would create 500,000 jobs and increase household disposable income by 2%. Healthier homes could save £600 million per year and generate a greener economy and a healthier, more skilled and productive workforce, it added.
BESA also pointed out that “cold, damp, and mouldy homes had the worst impact on vulnerable groups, like the elderly and children” and pointed to the APPG’s finding that they would cost the NHS £136bn over the next 30 years in health and social care.
“A comprehensive programme of building retrofits would improve accessibility, reduce hospital admissions, and support social aspiration and community spirit,” said Morrissey.
“The UK would have to invest more in developing the skilled workforce needed to carry out this work, further adding to growth and prosperity. Better buildings also provide better learning conditions for students and reduce worker absenteeism – so aiding productivity.
“In fact, improving the built environment touches every aspect of our community, economy and political life. We need to join all these elements up and take a truly holistic approach that can make our homes and buildings health positive and sustainable,” said Morrissey.
The poor standard of ventilation in many homes and buildings is a major health issue and has long been a source of concern for BESA and its members. The APPG claimed that 80% of ventilation systems did not comply with building regulations and best practice.
This will be a focus for BESA’s campaign to support national Clean Air Day including two sponsored walks in support of the Ella Roberta Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness of air pollution and its impact on human health.
