Can Burnham Bar Building Being Beached?
Andy Burnham is the new Prime Minister. He must focus on stimulating beached-building activity in the housing market if he is to last longer than Kier Starmer says the FMB.
Brian Berry, the chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders said: “With the fall in the number of new homes being built, Burnham needs to concentrate on rolling out a series of practical measures that will unlock the potential of the nation's small builders, which should include diversifying the housing market; tackling the construction skills shortage; supporting the rollout of energy efficiency upgrades of existing homes; and creating the business conditions needed for small businesses to thrive.”
Lacking delivery
Berry continued: “While recent years have seen welcome commitments on housing, planning reform and economic growth, delivery is still lacking. Many small construction firms continue to face significant barriers, including rising costs, skills shortages, planning delays and weak consumer confidence. Builders will be looking to the new government to match ambition with delivery and create the conditions that will allow SMEs to thrive.
“The UK cannot meet its housing ambitions without a diverse housing market. That means giving smaller house builders a much greater role in delivering the homes the country needs, including through opportunities in the social and affordable housing sector."
Licensing scheme
Berry concluded: "Greater progress is also needed to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for domestic building companies to drive up standards and improve consumer confidence. Small building companies are rooted in their local communities. If supported in the right way, they stand ready to play their full part in delivering the homes, jobs and economic growth that are needed all across the country."
Picture: Labour Party leader and new Prime Minister of the UK, Andy Burnham who has been challenged to get Britain building even more new homes as soon as possible.
The Federation of Master Builders has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make housing delivery a top priority, setting out a package of measures it says will unlock the potential of SME builders and accelerate new home construction.
