Jessica O'ConnorA nationwide push to replace outdated windows could deliver a significant boost to employment, particularly in the country’s glass manufacturing sector, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Millions of homes across the UK are losing substantial amounts of heat due to inefficient windows, with issues such as single glazing, poor seals, and decaying frames contributing to increased energy use and household bills.
In light of ongoing retrofitting legislation introduced by Government, the TUC argued that a national programme to upgrade windows could simultaneously reduce energy waste, lower household bills, and stimulate economic growth.
In a recent statement, John Storey, project officer of worker-led transition at the TUC, said: “There’s a golden opportunity to cut bills, cut waste and create jobs.
“A national drive to upgrade windows could secure thousands of skilled, long-term jobs. It’s real levelling up.”
The UK’s flat glass manufacturing industry, with major centres in Merseyside and Yorkshire, has seen a decline in recent years, challenged by high industrial energy costs and competition from cheaper imports.
This has led to the closure of several firms and the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The TUC has called for public and private investment in existing glass production facilities to modernise operations and support job retention.
The Labour Government has committed £13.2bn through its Warm Homes Plan, which aims to retrofit five million homes during the current Parliament.
The scheme includes upgrades to insulation and windows to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The TUC is urging that this work be carried out using domestically produced materials wherever possible.
“The Warm Homes Plan should include conditions so that upgraded windows are made in the UK, supporting our communities while upgrading our homes,” the TUC stated.
The organisation also emphasised the need for reforms to industrial electricity pricing to help domestic glass producers remain competitive in global markets.
