BRADFORD’S economy could get a boost of more than £96 million if all the district’s ageing buildings were retrofitted – new research has revealed.

But the work would require at least 940 workers a year – including scaffolders, plasterers, and carpenters.

Historic England has today released data that shows how much each area of the country needs to boost its retrofitting workforce by - and how the work could provide financial benefits as well as meeting the green agenda.

The data looks at what is needed to improve the environmental standards of buildings built before 1919.

The changes would make the building more energy efficient, reducing bills and securing them for future generations.

With Bradford’s history of industry, there are a huge number of properties that date back to before 1919, from mills to Victorian terraces.

The new data says 940 workers a year would be needed to retrofit all of Bradford’s older buildings.

If all buildings were retrofitted it would not only make life cheaper for people living and working in them, it would also make empty buildings more attractive to prospective buyers and tenants.

And the date suggests retrofitting would boost Bradford’s economy by £96.3m.

A spokesman for the body said: “Buildings in England are responsible for around a fifth of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, with one in five being built before 1919.

"On average, 86,500 new workers per year will be needed until 2050 to retrofit England’s traditionally constructed buildings in order to meet Net Zero targets, generating around £12 billion in direct annual economic output.

“Investment opportunities from making much-loved local historic buildings more energy efficient, whilst conserving their historic significance, are quantified for towns and cities, allowing local authorities to develop tailored skills proposals.”

Catherine Dewar, a regional director with Historic England, told the Telegraph & Argus: “Everyone is aware of the importance of retrofitting traditional building stock, but this is the first time local figures have been available for what it will take to achieve this.

“The types of trades needed for this are carpenters, plasterers, electricians – buildings built before 1919 need different treatment than more modern buildings. The work needs to be done properly.”

She said the work needed to retrofit all older buildings would likely only take place over the long term, but said it was important that employers, and training providers like colleges and Chambers of Commerce know the importance and benefits of having a workforce ready to do what is needed.

She said: “They need to have skills improvement plans and strategies for how they are going to deliver all the skills needed for this work. They need to start to think about training up the workforce. There is no quick fix.”