Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 150
Significant obstacles to the uptake of timber products in construction remain.
Conclusion
Significant obstacles to the uptake of timber products in construction remain. These include issues regarding fire risk and insurance, price volatility, securing sustainable and local supply chains, and addressing skills gaps in the use of timber. The Government has made little progress in addressing these barriers since the Climate Change Committee’s 2019 recommendation for an increase in the use of timber in construction.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the obstacles to timber uptake and highlights the establishment of a Timber in Construction Working Group to design a policy roadmap, expected by the end of 2023.
Paragraph Reference:
150
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government committed in the England Trees Action Plan and Net Zero Strategy to increase the safe use of timber in construction, with low rise buildings the main opportunity area for growth. We have established a cross-government and cross-industry Timber in Construction Working Group to design a policy roadmap identifying key actions for the Government, the construction sector, the timber sector, and academia to safely increase timber and wood product use in construction. It will be published before the end of 2023. The group will also support implementation of other commitments set out in the England Trees Action Plan and Net Zero Strategy which relate to timber in construction, in both the public and private sector, to enable more use of structural timber in line with Climate Change Committee recommendations. The group has identified a number of key areas to work on including: • Timber Demand; • Timber Supply; • Building Safety & Design; • Timber & Embodied Carbon; • Lenders, insurers, and warranty providers; • Competency & Skills.