As part of his PM Direct Programme of visits around the UK, David Cameron held a question and answer session with representatives from the region in Birmingham on 3 August 2010.

Unsurprisingly, Mr Cameron started by emphasising that the biggest issue currently faced by the UK is the budget deficit and that above all we need to pay down our debts and get the country’s books back in balance. He also made it very clear that one of the intentions of the government is to rebalance the economy and on moving forward to ensure that it is not so reliant on London and the South East.

First question went to John Sharpe representing the West Midlands Sustainable Housing Action Partnership and Sustainability Coordinator with WMCCE who, asked the Prime Minister about his views on the importance and place of retrofitting in housing and school building in current government thinking.

The response highlighted the government’s Green Deal scheme but admitted that this applied to housing only. The Prime Minister also recognised the importance of retrofitting in cutting energy use and therefore CO₂ emissions, reducing fuel bills especially for those on lower incomes and consequently reducing fuel poverty.  Mr Cameron went on to say that similar principles applied to school building.