Quantity AND quality for our new homes: Paul Everall's speech at the APPG for Healthy Homes and Buildings

LABC's Chief Executive Paul Everall today called on the Government to prevent a decline in the quality of new homes, while agreeing that an increase in the numbers of new being homes built is also necessary.

Speaking at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings today, and as current Chair of the National Home Improvement Council and Deputy Chair of the Good Homes Alliance, he acknowledged that efforts to improve quality have been undertaken by the Government in recent years, as evidenced by their report "More Homes, Fewer Complaints" and the fact that they are currently looking into the case for a new homes ombudsman.

However, he emphasised that LABC's role in maintaining and improving the quality of house building in the UK is crucial and that an emphasis on deregulation can go too far. He said, "No one wants unnecessary regulation but its vital role needs to be better recognised."

A necessary change in culture

Paul added that he hoped to see "a change of culture not just in industry, as Dame Judith Hackitt calls for in her interim report, but also in government." This includes better enforcement and a strengthening of the building regulations and the building control system.

Communication between multiple stakeholders and the breaking down of policy silos also needs to happen, he said, in order to make improvements at both central and local government level.

Further information

For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview contact Louise Williams louise.williams@labc.co.uk or phone us on 020 8616 8120.

Read Paul Everall's bio.

Also read LABC backs Hackitt Report for comprehensive improvements to Building Regulations.