2012 Talking Points

The following policy areas are of interest throughout 2012. For more information on the work NHBC is doing on these issues, please contact Nicholas Lyes on nlyes@nhbc.co.uk

Building Regulations

- Government Review into Building Regulations and changes to Building control

- Development of Part L and a quality assurance scheme on zero carbon homes

- Review of Part P (Electrical safety)

Green Deal

- Working to find solutions to protect homeowners who green their homes

Planning

- National Planning Policy Framework: simplification of planning laws

Housing Market supply

- Development of Mortgage Indemnity Scheme

- FirstBuy scheme to assist buyers of new build homes

- Expansion of Right to Buy and consequential build one for each one sold

- Build Now, Pay Later scheme with the release of public land for up to 100,000 homes

- Get Britain Building Programme to assist in unlocking stalled new developments
New Homes Bonus scheme

Skills

- Upskilling the industry in the face of central spending cuts whilst maintaining high quality training in the house building industry

Health and Safety

- Implementation of the Lofstedt Review

Sewerage Bonds and SuDs

- Implementation of the Sustainable Drainage Systems

- Adoption of private lateral sewers

Wales:

- Implementation of the Domestic Fire Sprinklers

- Changes to building regulations, with aim to deliver 55% improvement on 2006 requirements

Scotland:

- Delivery of new homes in Scotland

Northern Ireland

- Increasing role of devolved policy on housing in Northern Ireland

- Expected Housing Bill 2012

Europe:

- Europe 2020 Vision

- Elios II Project

- Energy Efficiency Directive

- Insurance Guarantee Schemes

- Insurance Mediation Directive

- Water Efficiency of Buildings

- ADR ¿ Consumer Collective redress (also operating through BIS)