Small builders must be at the heart of the housing solution
The Chancellor’s decision to spend £39bn to boost social housing projects is a welcome move to help tackle the housing crisis, but the delivery of these homes needs to be open to small local housebuilders who are often shut out of the procurement process, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Chancellor’s commitment to social housing needs an accompanying delivery strategy that puts SME builders at its heart. Small, local firms are uniquely positioned to unlock the potential of overlooked small sites, deliver high-quality homes, and boost local economies. By working in partnership with housing associations, SMEs can also help tackle the industry’s skills gap by training and employing people in their own communities.”
Berry added: “It is also pleasing to see £1.2bn investment in apprenticeships and training, but we know from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) that the UK will need more than a quarter of a million more workers entering the industry by 2028 if the Government is serious about meeting its 1.5 million new homes target. Today’s announcement simply doesn’t go far enough. It’s also disappointing that, once again, no progress has been made on the Government’s flagship commitment at last year’s General Election to retrofit 5 million homes. The UK’s housing stock is amongst the oldest and least energy-efficient in Europe. If we are to meet our net-zero goals, a comprehensive retrofit strategy is essential. SME builders are ready to deliver, but they need direction, support, and for the Government to follow through on its pledge.”
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