Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones has welcomed research showing that thousands of jobs will be created in the Welsh construction sector over the next five years.
This is in spite of some housing companies declaring that the introduction of fire sprinklers in all new homes will “kill” the housing market.
Mrs Jones said:
“Some irresponsible home builders have scare-mongered about the impact of fire sprinklers on the industry. This new research shows just how ill conceived and misleading their statements were.
“Over the last seven years, I have fought the lies and unevidenced sweeping statements that they have produced around the costs. They oppose the introduction of sprinklers as they have no interest in making sure that homes are safe for those who have to live there.
“Fire sprinklers will make our homes safer than anywhere else in the UK and as experts have repeatedly said – the introduction of fire sprinklers will not have an impact on the industry’s viability in Wales.”
New research by the CITB – the national training organisation for construction in the UK – that shows that nearly 18,000 new construction jobs are expected to be created in Wales over the next five years. The Welsh construction sector is set to grow 3.4% annually between now and 2018, outstripping all bar one region in England.
Mrs Jones was the Assembly Member who steered the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011 – requiring all new and converted homes be fitted with automatic fire sprinklers.
