UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / May 15, 2025 /

In response to today's announcement from Government (DESNZ) of an additional £630 million to support decarbonisation in public buildings, Social Investment Business expresses frustration as community-run buildings continue to be overlooked:

In response, Jack Wakefield, Policy Manager at Social Investment Business, said:

"Today's announcement of £630 million for public buildings will be met with frustration and disappointment by the voluntary sector, as they continue to serve communities in draughty buildings overlooked by government support. 

Our recent research raised the alarm that vital youth services are now having to commit half their entire budgets just to cover energy bills, while 50% of buildings run by charities and community groups are some of the most inefficient, and desperately need green upgrades to improve efficiency, lower costs and cut carbon emissions. 

At the Spending Review in June, it's crucial the government ends this oversight and invests in vital community-run buildings to safeguard the future of public services."

Social Investment Business provide finance and support to charities and community organisations working to improve society, including a new Energy Resilience Fund to support organisations invest in renewable energy or efficiency measures. 

New research published by SIB in April this year, and backed by Scouts, found that youth charities are now spending as much as 50% of their budgets just to pay energy and water bills, putting their vital community services at risk. 

The research also found that over half of all community buildings fall below basic energy efficiency levels, with conditions far worse in the most deprived areas. Social Investment Business have been calling for urgent government intervention to invest in these buildings and safeguard their contributions to society.