Will Bown – MD of insulation manufacturer says Autumn Statement is a big disappointment for green industry

With another disappointing Autumn Statement following a string of controversial U-turns on net zero, it’s becoming increasingly clear this government sees sustainability as a side issue.

£2bn for low-carbon investment in the automotive sector and a £960m Green Industries Growth Accelerator to fund renewable energy are obviously moves in the right direction.

But given the scale of the challenge we face, it’s nowhere near enough. We urgently need massive investment to retrofit Britain’s homes – the draughtiest in Europe – and clarity on the Future Home Standard, which is still extremely thin on detail despite coming into force in 2025.

Without an energy efficiency revolution in the built environment, which accounts for 39% of global emissions, net zero will remain a distant dream.