Leading professional power tool manufacturer, DEWALT, gives support to Repairing Britain campaign
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DEWALT backs Repairing Britain. Left to right - Brendan Jackson (DEWALT), Steve Allen (Rok), and Lionel Rowssel (DEWALT)
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Date: 01/07/2009
Client: Rok Plc
NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REPAIRING BRITAIN
LEADING PROFESSIONAL POWER TOOL MANUFACTURER, DEWALT, GIVES SUPPORT TO REPAIRING BRITAIN CAMPAIGN
DEWALT, one of the world’s leading manufacturer’s of professional power tools and accessories, has given its support to Repairing Britain, the campaign to secure 250,000 jobs in the construction sector at risk during the recession.
Repairing Britain is designed to boost the UK economy by stimulating the construction industry and encouraging the public and local authorities to take an interest in the maintenance of their homes and community buildings.
The campaign says up to half a million jobs could be lost in the current downturn. However, it is highlighting that refurbishment and improvement projects create many more jobs than new build schemes, require skilled tradesmen and are more sustainable.
Repairing Britain has devised a Five Point Plan that the public can follow to support the industry, their local community and the economy:
1. Look around your community for disused buildings and those in poor repair; tell your council about them; organise a pressure group to get them fixed
2. Ask your council to agree to use local builders for refurbishment contracts and schemes under £10,000
3. Encourage local business owners to keep their buildings in good condition and energy efficient
4. Look at your own home to see what you can do to make it more energy efficient, or what maintenance jobs can be done now to prevent problems in future
5. And finally, sign the Downing Street e-petition for a reduction in VAT on repair work to 5 percent
The petition, which is on the Downing Street website, http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/repairingbritain/, requests a reduction in VAT on property repair work to 5 percent, which will provide a much needed stimulus.
DEWALT is long established as a leading supplier of high performance power tools and accessories to the global construction industry and is renowned for the powerful, durable and reliable qualities of its range.
Richard Mallinson, DEWALT Group Marketing Manager, said: “As a leading professional power tool manufacturer, the strength of the residential and commercial construction sectors is a key driver within our business. DEWALT, therefore, recognises and support the positive steps that the 'Repairing Britain' campaign is taking to help the look and feel of local communities and to protect and create jobs within the construction industry.”
Garvis Snook, who is spearheading Repairing Britain and is also Chief Executive of property repair and maintenance specialist, Rok plc, said: “DEWALT is a globally-renowned name in the construction sector and a respected commentator on the issues affecting the industry. They are part of a supply chain that requires an active construction sector, which can be achieved if the plans set out by Repairing Britain are followed.”
ENDS
CONTACT: Jamie Collis on 01325 363436
Notes to editors:
Repairing Britain information:
Employment
In the 1990s’ recession the construction industry lost 350,000 jobs and many of those who left never returned. This time we could lose as many as 500,000. Refurbishment and improvement projects create many more jobs than new build schemes. Such work requires skilled local tradesmen and is more sustainable.
With more work available, companies will be able to continue employing apprentices. Despite the obvious risks of a gap in the next generation of skilled workers, apprenticeship schemes have been cut dramatically in recent months.
Property
There are an estimated one million empty homes in the UK today, and more than four million people on waiting lists for rental accommodation, plus according to the Local Government Association (LGA), five million people will be on social housing waiting lists by 2010. These empty homes could be made habitable much faster than new homes can be built. Repair and refurbishment of existing properties is also greener than starting from scratch on green fields. Rok wants to encourage a sense of civic pride in our surroundings; money is being spent on new housing developments while empty homes multiply in existing neighbourhoods, causing them to become under-populated and under-resourced.
In addition to this, there are as many as 15 – 20% of properties across the UK are likely to be in poor condition, in need of repair or underused. These properties may be above shops, or even empty shops, old factories, warehouses, and private dwellings. If, over the next two years, we tackled just 20% of the buildings that needed repairing and turning into homes, we would create 250,000 new homes which would more than satisfy the country’s need.
The average household could save as much as a third on its energy bills by using the latest energy saving options, work which seems much more manageable if given a tax incentive.
‘Repairing Britain’ is calling for an audit of empty buildings by local authorities to identify properties needing attention, at a time when the country needs 240,000 additional housing units a year and only 60,000 are being built we need to look at the buildings that already exist for new homes.
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