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The Rt. Hon. Patricia HewittHousebuilder of the Year Awards |
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CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I am delighted to be here this lunchtime. I always find awards ceremonies particularly enjoyable because they give me an opportunity to celebrate success, to acknowledge achievement and to recognise excellence. These awards demonstrate exactly what your industry, at its best, can accomplish as judged, crucially, by new homebuyers. They benchmark standards for others to meet and give your customers an insight into what they ought, rightfully, to demand. This can only help to drive up standards across the industry so that your customers' needs and expectations are met – or indeed exceeded. Private House Building Sector And that is crucial. We live in a society where home ownership is something the majority of people expect. Where a new home represents the biggest single investment most people make. Where house building helps to provide essential accommodation for workers in places where their skills are needed. Where house building continues the delivery of sustainability and pulls together related industries for the good of the UK economy. House building is important to me for all these reasons. It is essential that we get the product, process and service right. That is why my Department needs to have an effective relationship with you and your industry. Quality in Housing We all want to see high standards – we believe that people are entitled to the highest quality homes – whether new build or refurbishment. Quality is what people expect and, more than ever before, are in a position to demand. Home buyers want to be assured that they have a house which will serve them well in the longer term, that is energy efficient and easily maintained. Alongside this is the issue of quality and sustainability in the repair, maintenance and improvement market where parallel moves are underway to raise standards. At the Ideal Home Exhibition on Tuesday, Brian Wilson, the Minister for Construction, launched the national roll-out of the Quality Mark scheme which will help customers choose reputable builders and tradesmen and put a clear distance between reputable companies and the cowboys. An important issue particularly in terms of the industry's image. We also need to remember that quality is not just an issue for the homebuyer. We are all affected by house building because many of us live, work or spend our leisure time in areas where new homes are built. Housing is part of the very fabric of our society – and good design and a safe, secure environment are important factors in creating vibrant and cohesive communities. And you have much to be proud of. As the Housing Forum's National Customer satisfaction survey highlighted, almost 90% of customers were satisfied with their new home - as a product. But in today's economy, product is not enough on its own and delivering on service as well can give you a much-needed competitive edge. The survey also highlighted almost a third of your customers are dissatisfied with the service you offer. That is why today's award winners are so important. Because they champion excellent performance. Rethinking Construction I hope that with the support of Government – through the Strategic Forum for Construction and the Rethinking Construction initiative – we can take the industry – including house builders – to a higher level of performance. For this to happen the active participation of house builders is crucial - every industry needs a culture of continuous improvement. I know that through the House Builders' Federation, you are increasing your links with Rethinking Construction but individual builders also need to get involved. Housing Forum Since 1999, Rethinking Construction's Housing Forum has undertaken a programme of demonstration projects to show people and organisations exactly what can be achieved through change and innovation in the supply chain. All are demonstrating innovative approaches to construction. Some of you, I know, are already involved – I strongly urge more of you to become active supporters of and users of the Housing Forum. Demonstration Projects One example of a Rethinking Construction demonstration project is the Millennium Green project in Lincoln, where a private sector company is demonstrating that environmentally friendly buildings have clear business benefits. And I had the great pleasure recently of visiting Beddington Zero Emissions Development in South London, built by the Peabody Trust. It is an example of energy efficiency in construction and use. By assessing the environmental cost of the transportation and manufacture of all its materials, the Trust is addressing concerns that construction is energy and resource intensive and creates too much waste. We want to see more of these projects. From the private sector too. Partners in Innovation Innovation in house building and construction generally is vital if we are to improve the performance of our buildings and infrastructure. Brian Wilson, has today announced DTI funding of £6.4 million over the next three years – matched by over £10 million from industry – to 97 new research projects in the construction sector under our Partners In Innovation scheme. I am pleased that several of the proposals will promote innovative house building techniques. So the Government will support your industry as you respond to the challenges of today's economy and environment. We can also help you turn challenges into opportunities. And I have no doubt we will be successful if we can take advantage of your leadership to drive forward the change needed.
I am delighted that construction is one of my responsibilities. The house building industry is vital to the success of our economy. The homes you build can be superb. Your people can be first rate and deserve every incentive. I and my Department want to work closely with you to see an industry that exceeds the expectations of its customers. To see a successful industry which is both profitable and responsive to society's needs. To see an industry where the achievements of today's winners become tomorrow's benchmark for all. Thank you. |
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Other speeches by The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt
(the following are available from the archive) |
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