Queen’s speech was a first step to deliver certainty

December 23, 2019

During the state opening of Parliament, the Queen set out the Government’s legislative agenda.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “We are pleased to see the Government provide much needed Brexit certainty for our members. However, while the new immigration system is being shaped, a temporary construction VISA should be considered.

“We also hope to see the Government redouble its efforts to fix the broken planning process, which creates far greater business uncertainty in the construction sector than Brexit.

“The NFB supports the Government’s commitment to boost homeownership, invest in skills and infrastructure, tackle climate change and increase building safety. We look forward to collaborating with ministers and the civil service to help reach these targets.

“The only frustration was the lack of focus on crucial issues such as late payment, social housing, procurement reform and fixing the broken planning system.”

Nick Sangwin, NFB chair, said “A cut in business rates for small businesses is welcome news; however the Government has missed an opportunity to tackle late payment which seriously damages and too often bankrupts SMEs.”

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

Clarity on energy efficiency rules for commercial property needed

Propertymark has written to Martin McCluskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, urging the UK Government to provide urgent clarity on the future of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic property. The letter follows the publication of the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, which confirmed that…
Read More →
Breaking News

English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025

English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025: headline findings on housing quality and energy efficiency The latest findings from the English Housing Survey on housing quality and energy efficiency. This is the second release of data from the 2024-25 survey. This report will be followed by a series of more detailed topic reports in the spring…
Read More →
Breaking News

Propertymark responds to latest HMRC property transactions report

Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, comments: “Based on December 2025’s figures, it is encouraging to see that property transactions remained stable following the Autumn Budget. At a time when many households were concerned about rising living costs, this stability suggests that the Budget provided enough clarity for people to continue progressing with plans to buy…
Read More →
Breaking News

Mortgage activity dips in December

Property industry reaction to the latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England. The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for December sat at 61,013 down (-4.8%) from 64,072 in November. Approvals are down (-8.4%) when compared to the 66,634 seen in December 2024. This decline was expected due to…
Read More →
Breaking News

£19.9bn of PRS refurbishment required

£19.9bn of refurbishment investment required to bring England’s private rented homes up to EPC C by 2030 Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, believes that despite the Government extending the deadline for all private rental stock to meet an EPC C rating from 2028 to 2030, refurbishment finance will remain key in helping landlords meet…
Read More →
Home and Living

10 budget patio ideas for beginners in landscaping

Creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform your backyard into a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re looking to build a brand-new area or revamp an existing one, these budget-friendly patio ideas will inspire you to create a stylish and functional…
Read More →