Brian Berry, chief executive at the FMB, said the government needed to seize the opportunity to set out a new strategy to upgrade existing homes to be greener and more energy efficient.

He claims a long-term plan is needed, as short-term schemes “only help in part”.

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“The chancellor should use the spending review to announce an extension to the Green Homes Grant scheme, to give businesses confidence to take part, and accelerate growth in the construction sector,” he added.

“That means bringing forward the full £9.2bn pledged in the manifesto, so that the industry has a clear pipeline of work. 

“We should also be making the most of the current trend for homeowners to extend and convert their homes, by cutting VAT to 5% on home improvements, so that consumers have more money to invest in retrofit at the same time,” he concluded.