The Construction 2025 document, published yesterday, is a joint strategy setting out how industry and government will work together over the coming years to put the UK at the forefront of the global construction market.
It targets growth in the entire industry, while also promoting sustainability, innovation and use of technologies for shared working such as BIM.
M&S’s Cheshire Oaks store, which features an engineered timber roof and wood cladding, is flagged up as an example of low carbon construction.
Four clear construction industry targets for 2025 are identified – a 33% reduction in costs (upfront and whole life); 50% lower emissions; 50% faster delivery; and 50% improvement in exports.
“It is good to see the government recognise the importance of the construction sector as part of its overall industrial strategy,” said John White, TTF chief executive.
“The TTF has been involved with the development of this strategy and the timber industry is well placed to benefit from the targets and aspirations outlined.
“Timber construction has the lowest emissions of any mainstream methods, and can speed up delivery times while reducing costs.
“The UK timber industry is also a good hub for global trade in building products with many of our UK producers now exporting to new markets, and others importing for added value in this country.”
