Brexit gridlock could cripple construction

March 22, 2019

The NFB is seriously concerned about the consequences of leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

Leaving without well-defined transitional arrangements will leave the construction industry worse off than the financial crisis of 2008, which saw the industry losing more than 250,000 skilled workers.

With the UK currently importing 90% of its timber from the EU, construction SMEs will likely have to pay VAT upfront before receiving the material in the event of a no-deal Brexit. This could potentially lead to cash flow issues and delays in building homes at a time when the UK is still facing the most acute housing crisis since the end of the Second World War.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “With all the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit process, the construction industry needs politicians to work together and provide a clear direction so that businesses can plan ahead at a time when the country is suffering from an acute skills shortage.”

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Property expert warns homeowners to lock in amid mortgage rates uncertainty

With mortgage rates fluctuating and threatening to rise, homeowners hoping for cheaper borrowing in 2027 are being warned against delaying their mortgage plans if they’re anticipating lower rates According to Moneyfacts, the average five-year fixed mortgage rate has now reached 6% in October, the highest level in around three years, while the average two-year fixed…
Read More →
mycelium growth
Breaking News

Damp and mould online searches rise by 34%

The latest research from Inventory Base shows that search interest in damp and mould has increased by 34.2% in the latest two-month comparison, while searches for damp have risen by 29.1% and mould by 16.8%. The analysis of Google search interest trends* found that searches for “damp and mould” rose from an average search interest…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Nearly two-thirds of movers want homes that generate their own energy

Neary two-thirds of movers (63%) want their home to generate most or all of its own energy More than half, 53%, say recent energy-price rises have increased their interest in solar panels and home battery storage Just 8% would prefer to remain fully reliant on the grid Since 2022, mentions of heat pumps in newly…
Read More →
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act: A review of the first six months

Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) coming into force on May 1st, there were many concerns across the industry. Landlords were probably most worried about the removal of section 21 and fixed-term tenancies, fearing it would be harder and take longer to remove troublesome tenants and regain possession of their properties. Widespread predictions were…
Read More →
Breaking News

Private rent and house prices, UK: October 2026

Average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.8%, to £1,406, in the 12 months to September 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is unchanged from the 12 months to August 2026. Average rents increased to £1,466 (4.0%) in England, £848 (4.1%) in Wales, and £1,011 (0.7%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to September…
Read More →
Breaking News

First-time buyer affordability improves across the South West

The latest research by Lyons Bowe has found that first-time buyer affordability, measured against the national average price paid by first-time buyers, has improved across the South West over the past decade, despite rising property prices. More than half (53.8%) of the region’s local authority areas now have average first-time buyer property prices below the England…
Read More →