TIMBER INDUSTRY TO SPEARHEAD IMPLEMENTATION OF KEY GOVERNMENT POLICY

Working in partnership, the Structural Timber Association (STA), Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor) have been appointed joint Secretariat of the Government’s Timber in Construction (TiC) Policy Roadmap working group, in a bid to expedite delivery of this critical industry plan.

The TiC roadmap – published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in December last year – is the culmination of many months of collaboration between Government and industry and sets out a framework for increasing the use of timber in construction.

Having already worked together as key contributors to the development of the policy document, the three organisations are well placed to bring their shared expertise to its execution. All three organisations were integral to the creation of the policy roadmap and collectively represent the full spectrum of timber industries.

Crucially, the Secretariat role will be tasked with leading the development and implementation of solid plans to deliver each of the seven key priorities identified within the roadmap, which cover demand, supply, building safety, labour and skills, carbon, insurance, and innovation.

Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, commented: “I am pleased that DEFRA has recognised the importance of ‘boots on the ground’ expertise and has given us this vital opportunity to shape delivery of such a key piece of policy. Drawing on the combined experience and practical knowledge each organisation bring to the table, we have an exciting part to play in driving these policy goals forwards – turning aspirations into action.

“Through the Secretariat role, we also hope to bring other Government bodies and stakeholders together to support and accelerate the roadmap’s implementation, which is crucial to ensuring the UK stays on track to meet our legally binding climate commitments.”

To read the full TiC policy roadmap, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timber-in-construction-roadmap/timber-in-construction-roadmap 

For more information about the member organisations of the joint Secretariat, please visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk or www.timberdevelopment.uk or www.confor.org.uk

Ends

Editors notes

£10billion gross value was added to the UK economy by the timber industry, and the sector employs over 300,000 people across 51,000 businesses

As the leading authority for structural timber build systems, the Structural Timber Association (STA) is recognised for their technical excellence, superior knowledge and leading standards. With over 950 members, the STA is the UK’s leading organisation representing the structural timber sector, a sector now valued at over £1billion, and associated supply chain companies.

Their mission is to support and facilitate the UK construction industry to increase the use of structural timber across housing, public sector and commercial sectors, contributing to the housing targets of 300,00 per year, while delivering value and increased build quality, through fast, sustainable, low carbon construction. Over the past 5 years 198,429 timber frame homes have been built in the UK, a number which the STA seeks to increase in line with housing targets. 

The STA actively work to promote structural timber through innovation and accreditation while raising the bar on quality standards, health and safety, skills training and technical knowledge. Their goal is to drive increased use of MMC and offsite manufacture for the benefit of all stakeholders. Additionally, the STA works to influence legislation and regulation, and support the objectives of the structural timber sector as a whole. Having played a key role in the Government’s Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap development, the STA continues to spearhead its implementation.

STA Assure is the STA’s Quality Assurance Scheme that provides confidence in the use of structural timber and determines member competency and compliance, providing solid reassurances to the construction community that its members meet or exceed current legislation and regulatory requirements.

For more information about structural timber please visit: www.timefortimber.org/

For more information about the STA, including STA Assure, please visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk