The Labour Party Annual Conference 2025

SME4Labour, SPL & INCA fringe: THE FABRIC OF THE FUTURE: DELIVERING WARMER HOMES, LOWER BILLS, AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Speakers:

• Martin McCluskey MP , Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Kirith Entwistle MP, MP for Bolton North East
• Nick Miles, Inca
• John Sparrow – Director, INCA
• Luke Joyner, The Joyner Group

Chair: Dr. Spencer Pitfield OBE

The session on The Fabric of the Future brought together policymakers and industry leaders to explore how a fabric-first approach to home retrofitting can deliver warmer homes, lower energy bills, and long-term sustainable growth. With housing quality and energy affordability rising rapidly up the political agenda, the discussion underscored the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy.

Opening the session, Martin McCluskey positioned housing retrofit at the heart of the UK’s clean energy mission. With buildings responsible for around 30% of emissions, improving the energy efficiency of existing homes is essential to achieving net zero targets. The forthcoming Warm Homes Plan—described as “big, bold and ambitious”—aims to upgrade millions of homes, while also addressing fuel poverty and reducing pressure on household finances.

A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of a fabric-first approach. Industry representatives emphasised that without improving insulation and the building envelope, low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps cannot deliver their full benefits. With a significant proportion of UK housing stock built before modern efficiency standards, particularly solid-wall homes, upgrading the fabric of buildings remains a critical first step.

Kirith Entwistle highlighted the human impact of poor-quality housing, stressing that homes must be viewed not simply as structures, but as environments that directly affect health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Issues such as damp, mould, and high energy costs continue to affect millions, particularly in older and social housing stock.

The panel also explored the key barriers to delivery at scale. These included inconsistent funding mechanisms, a lack of consumer confidence due to past scheme failures, and ongoing skills shortages within the retrofit workforce. Panellists called for clearer, long-term funding frameworks to provide certainty for businesses, alongside stronger consumer protection measures to rebuild trust.

The role of SMEs emerged as a critical factor in successful delivery. Smaller firms bring local expertise and agility but require stable pipelines of work and supportive policy environments to scale effectively. There was also broad agreement that local authorities and regional leaders should play a greater role in delivery, given their detailed understanding of housing stock and community needs.

Innovation and integration were also key themes, with speakers emphasising the need for a whole-system approach that combines insulation, heating technologies, and energy infrastructure. Fabric improvements, heat pumps, and heat networks must be deployed in a coordinated way to maximise efficiency and impact.

The discussion concluded with a strong message: a fabric-first retrofit strategy offers a unique opportunity to align climate action with economic growth and social progress. By improving homes, reducing bills, and creating skilled green jobs, the UK can deliver tangible benefits for communities while accelerating its journey to net zero.

Bios:

Martin McCluskey is the Labour Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, having been elected in the 2024 general election. He successfully won the seat from the Scottish National Party, marking a significant victory as part of Labour's resurgence in Scotland.

Prior to entering Parliament, McCluskey had a distinguished career as a human rights barrister and also served as a government lawyer for the Ministry of Defence. This background in public law and human rights informs his parliamentary focus on social justice, accountability, and poverty reduction. Raised in Greenock, he has deep roots in the community he represents. As part of the new intake of Labour MPs, he is considered a fresh voice, bringing considerable legal and policy experience to Westminster.

Kirith Entwistle MP, MP for Bolton North East Kirith Entwistle was elected as the Member of Parliament for Bolton North East in 2024. Prior to her election to Parliament, she was the Communications and Engagement Manager at the Cabinet Office from 2020 to 2022. She has also served as Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer for the Royal British Legion. In 2015, she founded a non-profit social enterprise focused on empowering women and young girls. She is a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Portsmouth.

Nick Miles – Director, EWI Pro Nick Miles is Director of EWI Pro, a leading UK provider of BBA-approved external wall insulation systems. Since 2011, the company has specialised in retrofit and new-build design, offering certified render and insulation technologies. Through its Training Academy, EWI Pro supports the industry with sustainable solutions that deliver warmer homes and lower carbon footprints.

John Sparrow – Director, INCA John Sparrow is Director of INCA, the UK’s trade association for the external wall insulation industry. Established in 1981, INCA represents system designers, contractors, suppliers and service providers, promoting technical excellence and best practice. The organisation works with government to grow the EWI market and support the UK’s net zero strategy.

Luke Joyner – Managing Director, Joyner Group Luke Joyner is Managing Director of the Joyner Group, a family-run construction and maintenance company established in 1982. Operating across Wales and the South West, the business delivers retrofit and planned maintenance programmes for social landlords. Known for quality, collaboration, and sustainability, Joyner Group focuses on improving homes, engaging tenants and strengthening communities.

Dr Spencer Pitfield OBE – Founder, SPL Strategies Dr Spencer Pitfield OBE is Founder of SPL Strategies, a consultancy specialising in communications, policy and stakeholder engagement. With a strong background in public affairs, he works with businesses, educators and policymakers to shape skills strategies and amplify voices where it matters. Spencer focuses on building collaborations that deliver meaningful social and economic impact.