NEWS | DIGEST Construction product sales fall in Q3 Construction product sales fell for the first time in two years in the third quarter of 2022, according to the Construction Products Associations latest State of Trade Survey. The survey also indicated a slowdown in construction activity in the publicly financed and repair and maintenance sectors since summer. That, and the UKs deteriorating economic backdrop, were informing manufacturers expectations of a contraction for the year ahead. In the third quarter, 12% of heavy-side manufacturers reported that sales of construction products had declined the first fall since the nationwide lockdowns in the second quarter of 2020. In addition, 17% of light-side manufacturers reported that product sales rose, which marked the lowest balance in two years. The survey suggested that demand was viewed as the key constraint on manufacturers activity; 53% of heavyside firms anticipated a decrease in sales over the next 12 months. On the light side, a balance of 13% of firms anticipated a decline the first negative view since the height of the Covid-19 disruption in 2020. Scrapping of zero carbon standard adds 791m to bills More than 1m homes have been built since standard was removed in 2016 English households living in new build properties have had 791m added to their energy bills since 2016 as a result of the governments decision to scrap its Zero Carbon Homes Standard, according to new figures. An analysis carried out by the Liberal Democrats shows that 1.2m homes have been built since the standard, which was due to come into force in 2016, was axed by the Conservative government. Based on an estimate in a recent report by the Energy Climate Intelligence Unit, which said that those living in zero carbon homes would have saved around 200 on their annual energy bills, the Lib Dems have calculated that the total saving over the past six years would have been 791m. In 2021 alone, according to their analysis, households would have saved 234m. Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat climate change spokesperson, said the shameful scrapping of the zero carbon standard had left people living in poorly insulated homes, making them even more vulnerable to soaring energy prices. The Conservatives are more interested in cosying up to their property developer friends than slashing peoples bills and tackling the climate crisis, she said. CARE LIFETIME SUPPORT Rely on us for Lifetime Support, from design and specification through to manufacture and aftercare. Our technical team provide a broad and collaborative service during and after installation. We care that you get the right support. So find out more at Cranefs.com/solutions 21400_CRANE_FS_CARE_AD_133X186.indd 1 14/02/2022 13:35 12 November 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Nov 22 pp12 News.indd 12 21/10/2022 15:35