The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has welcomed the budget which announced investment in housing, prisons, hospitals and transport, providing “encouraging” market opportunity.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a multi-year housing settlement of £24billion, £11.5billion for 180,00 homes and £1.8billion brownfield land fund to “unlock one million homes”.

Government also announced a £3.8billion prison building programme, as well as £5.9billion for the NHS, including £1,5billion on beds equipment.

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Chief executive of BMA Tom Reynolds commented: “We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of additional capital investment across transport, hospitals, prisons and housing.

“This will not only improve our infrastructure, but will provide some encouraging market opportunity for bathroom manufacturers.”

Reynolds also commented on the reform of business rates for companies who invest in their building

“BMA was also part of a coalition of trade bodies calling for reform of business rates head of the budget.

“We therefore welcome the Chancellor’s introduction of a new green investment relief and business rates improvement relief.

“This will benefit not only manufacturers but also our key channel partners in retail and merchanting.”

Retail trade association, the Kbsa cautiously welcomed the budget, stating the Chancellor had finally listened to business.

But Reynolds also pointed to a missed opportunity for the bathroom industry to reduce carbon in homes through home upgrades: “However, bathroom manufacturers will be very disappointed the Chancellor missed the opportunity in the Comprehensive Spending Review to put substance behind the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

“Decarbonising our 27 million existing homes, including through upgrades to bathrooms, is vital if we are to meet our national climate targets.

“Without coordinated action, adequately funded, home decarbonisation will be at a slower pace than necessary.”