GILRUTH VISITS VELUX WITH HOUSING MINISTER
Published date : 17 Dec 2019
Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has today (Tuesday 17th December) welcomed the Scottish Government Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, to the constituency for a visit to VELUX Company Ltd.
VELUX, a global manufacturer of roof windows, blinds and sun tunnels, operates its UK & Ireland headquarters from Glenrothes – employing over 274 people locally. The organisation provides products that aim to promote healthier living environments by increasing daylight and fresh air circulation through roofs.
A recent study conducted by VELUX & RAND Europe – the 2019 Healthy Homes Barometer – estimated that over the next 40 years, reducing exposure to mould and dampness within homes and improving ventilation in schools could result in £55.6 billion in economic gains.
The meeting, which took place at the Woodside Way & Newark Road headquarters, provided the Minister and local MSP an overview of the work of VELUX and a tour of the offices – which recently benefited from a £7 million investment.
During the visit, the politicians heard the ways in which VELUX are supporting Scottish Government policy goals through their sustainable approach to increasing energy efficiency and boosting the prevalence of healthy living spaces
The Scottish Government commitment to building 50,000 affordable homes by 2021 through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme has been backed by a £3.3 billion investment – marking a 67% increase in affordable housing stock in Scotland.
The Scottish Government Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, said:
“I was pleased to be able to visit VELUX in Glenrothes to learn more about what the organisation is doing to promote healthier and more sustainable living environments to people throughout Scotland.
“The Scottish Government aims to deliver 50,000 affordable homes during this Parliament. Organisations like VELUX are key to helping deliver warm, energy efficient homes.”
The local MSP, Jenny Gilruth, added:
“I was delighted to be able to facilitate today’s meeting with the Minister at VELUX in Glenrothes – a major employer within my constituency that provides roof windows, sun tunnels and blinds to customers across Scotland and the rest of the UK & Ireland.
“VELUX is committed to creating better living environments, through reducing exposure to mould and dampness, and improving ventilation. Their work goes a long way in improving health outcomes as well as contributing to economic gains through increased labour productivity.
“The organisation is clearly committed to supporting Scottish Government sustainability policy goals, and I was grateful to introduce the Minister to the industrious and dedicated team at the UK headquarters.”
Neil Freshwater, spokesperson for VELUX, commented:
“It was an honour to welcome Jenny and the Minister to VELUX and to showcase the importance of our business, both in terms of its commitment to the Glenrothes area as an employer, and our wider contribution to creating healthier homes, schools and offices using daylight and fresh air.
“We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Scottish Government particularly in relation to the forthcoming review of Scottish building standards in 2020.”
Notes:
VELUX/RAND Europe study: https://velcdn.azureedge.net/ /media/marketing/uk/hhb_2019.pdf
Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme: https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/affordable-housing-supply/
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