Posts by National Federation of Builders
The Government must re-think its approach on immigration after Brexit
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has warned the Government that its plans to reduce immigration after Brexit will have “devastating consequences” for London and urges it to re-consider its plans to impose a £30,000 salary threshold on EU citizens coming into the UK after Brexit. Speaking to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,…
Read MoreAn investment in council housing is an investment in Britain
The Addison Act, which paved the way for council house building on a large scale, marks its 100-year anniversary As the oldest construction trade association in the United Kingdom, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) still has members who helped the 1919 minister for housing, Christopher Addison, deliver his ambitious council housing programme, as well…
Read MoreBoris must hit the ground running
Boris Johnson has been elected as leader of the Conservative Party and will officially take over as prime minister on 24 July. The former mayor of London has promised to take Britain out of the EU by 31 October 2019 with or without a deal. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) congratulates Boris Johnson on…
Read MoreWill localism raze or raise the roof?
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) report, titled ‘Raising the Roof’, is thankfully not claiming to be the silver bullet to solve the housing crisis but, instead, earnestly builds on industry proposals. Penned by Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and Radomir Tylecote, the report focusses on enabling a more competitive house building industry through more appropriate taxation…
Read MoreTiny homes will be part of Theresa May’s legacy, says NFB
The prime minister must take responsibility for the “tiny homes” that she facilitated by ignoring industry and campaigner advice for better housing standards and more appropriate policy. Changes to policy are welcomed but, unfortunately, it is too little too late as with many of her decisions. Time after time, the PM and her housing ministers…
Read MoreWe must make single-use plastic a thing of the past, says NFB
Plastic waste remains a chief concern for our planet’s health and, while attempts to reduce its use have intensified, greater efforts must be made to ensure that we reduce our dependence on single-use plastic. In construction, the reliance on single-use plastic has been drastically declining. Pipes and drains are made out of recyclable plastics, while…
Read MoreNothing has changed on late payment
The Government needs to be bolder and come up with more immediate alternatives to help construction businesses struggling with late payment. Kelly Tolhurst MP, small business minister, delivered a statement to the House of Commons announcing measures to ensure that businesses get paid on time. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) appreciates the Government’s commitment…
Read MoreThe best career advice is to consider all your options
Schools should provide unbiased and comprehensive career advice to young people The National Federation of Builders (NFB) believes that schools should provide unbiased and comprehensive career advice to young people, as they consider their professional future. The construction industry offers a wide range of career opportunities that endow learners with skills that are in high…
Read MoreNFB welcomes new national chair Nick Sangwin
Nick Sangwin became national chair of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) on Thursday 13 June 2019 at the NFB’s annual general meeting (AGM), which was followed by a celebratory gala dinner. Construction industry professionals and guests gathered at The Deep in Hull for an evening of dinner, entertainment, and networking. Guests were entertained…
Read MoreWe should not ignore Help to Buy’s successes
Help to Buy, a demand-led initiative, has helped more people buy the right homes in the right places. That fact is inescapable. However, it is also true that Help to Buy has not transformed quickly enough to target those who need it most, with the Government failing to introduce enough supply measures alongside it. Help…
Read MoreModular housing can’t solve the housing crisis
Whether building modular, offsite or traditional, you cannot start building unless you have planning permission. Modular housing is often championed as the silver bullet solution to the housing crisis. Built more quickly in factories and quality-controlled before assembly, there are some clear positives to building modular. However, at this stage, modular housing will not and…
Read MoreNFB: EU workers make a crucial contribution to UK construction
The Home Affairs Committee (HAC) has called on the Government to confirm in primary legislation the rights of EU citizens after the UK leaves the EU. In March 2019, the Government launched the EU Settlement Scheme to help establish the immigration status of EU citizens legally residing in the UK. People who apply through the…
Read MoreNew permitted development rules are good for planning
Under new permitted development rules, homeowners in terraced and semi-detached homes will be able to put single story extensions of up to 6 metres at the rear of their properties without needing to obtain planning permission. Those in detached homes will be able to extend by up to 8 metres. Kit Malthouse, housing minister, said:…
Read MoreSelf build can help solve the housing crisis
Victoria Prentis MP has said that increasing our custom building housing stock is a practical way to solve the country’s housing woes. Identifying that only 8% of the housing stock was built via custom build, Prentis highlighted that access to land, finance and the planning system are the main barriers to self-build and that Cherwell…
Read MoreReimagining the greenbelt is vital to preserving it
The Mail on Sunday report that the Treasury Chief Secretary, Liz Truss has said the Conservatives should build a million homes on the green belt, which she believes would allow the under 40s to own their own home. Truss said that “doing more of what we have been doing for the past nine years is…
Read More