Following Tim Farron’s speech at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, BSRIA has issued a response.

Chief executive, Julia Evans, said: “As Tim Farron works to rebuild his party, it is good to see that he is also looking at fixing the fundamentals for the construction industry. His party’s commitments on affordable housing, supporting the green industries and remaining in the EU are all at the top of industry’s wish lists.”

She continued: “We applaud Mr Farron’s specific comments on housing... The Liberal Democrats have a target of building 300,000 homes a year and they are prepared to meet it with ‘bold choices’.”

Ms Evans also said that BSRIA was especially encouraged by the party’s commitment to green subsidies. “Mr Farron said that the heart of that economy will be green industries: renewable energy, low-carbon transport, green finance – all areas in which Britain is already a world leader. These industries will bring jobs, exports and prosperity and at same time reduce emissions and tackle climate change.”

She said that BSRIA is “getting the impression that energy and carbon reduction issues are being viewed as a burden to government – which is inhibiting – not only the industry – but the economy at large – especially those centring on the ending of and reliance on subsidies for energy saving schemes. We are encouraged that the Liberal Democrats will fight the government every inch of the way. Indeed, BSRIA supports the renewables industry every step of the way.”