MP for Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner, David Simmonds has toured his local Jewson to learn first-hand the role the building materials industry can play in improving energy efficiency.
Mr Simmonds toured Jewson Ruislip as part of a visit organised by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and attended by BMF CEO, John Newcomb.
Jewson managing director, Nadine Matthews hosted the event, alongside regional director Kris Winters and Dean Colwill, branch manager at the company’s store in West End Road.
Nadine explained how builders’ merchants can provide advice and support to homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their property and save on energy costs.
She also outlined how energy efficient materials and product ranges have a key role to play in supporting the drive to carbon net zero by 2050.
She said: “Our ‘Making Better Homes’ range includes the latest innovations in lower carbon materials alongside a variety of efficient, sustainable products and solutions.
“The ranges we offer are centred around achieving sustainability goals, but what that means is they improve energy efficiency within the household, ultimately reducing the amount of energy used and the amount of energy lost through issues such as poorly fitted windows, inefficient boilers and uninsulated roof spaces.
“The built environment accounts for almost 40% of global carbon emissions, so while fitting energy-efficient, low emission and water-saving measures in properties will be key to achieving net zero by 2050, there will also be financial benefits for householders who invest in the right measures to improve energy efficiency in their home.
“At Jewson, we are determined to support efforts to build smarter, build better and make a difference.”
The group also discussed challenges facing the industry including material availability and cost inflation.
John Newcomb said: “There is an urgent need to address home energy-efficiency in the UK, where a high proportion of homes are rated EPC Band C or below.
“One of our key asks of the government is to commit to a comprehensive, properly-funded national plan of investment in training to boost the number of competent, qualified people equipped to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes and to install low- or zero-carbon solutions.
“The BMF is urging the government to further help families by improving the energy and thermal performance of their homes, which would have a long-term effect on family budgets by reducing energy use and heating costs, as well as creating meaningful jobs across the country.
“This visit provided a great opportunity to discuss the valuable role merchants can play in improving energy efficiency as well as outlining workings of the industry’s supply chain and the challenges we face around the availability and cost of materials.”
