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.”

EAN Breaking News

Breaking News from the team at Estate Agent Networking. Have a new story to share with us? Then please get in contact today! When and where we can we will refer to third party websites with a 'live link back' where news was released first.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

The most stressful places to move to in the UK

With more people in the UK moving homes during summer than any other season and the average cost of moving in the UK rising to over £14,000, picking the right place to move to has become more crucial than ever. Luckily, new research from Pay Less for Storage reveals the UK cities that make life easiest…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Time-Traveling Estate Agent Sequel Climbs Amazon Charts

A UK Estate Agent Currently Bringing Joy to People’s Lives – Shame He’s Fictional…   Eric Meek, the fictional estate agent created by author Dale Bradford, is back for a second outing in The Time‑Travelling Estate Agent 2, a sequel that is already climbing Amazon’s bestselling time‑travel rankings. Estate agents were recently highlighted as the third…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Is it finally time for lenders to back green homes?

Andrew Smith weighs the risks and rewards Property developers are increasingly pitching green homes to lenders; however, with sales cycles slowing down and repair costs rising, is now the right time to back sustainable builds and at what price point is there market demand? Sustainability is continuing to shape our future of construction with the…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

UK Housebuilding Falters as Construction Hiring Flatlines

New research from Inventory Base reveals that UK construction industry employment has increased by almost 11% in the past five years, but there has been less than 1% growth in the past 12 months. Inventory Base’s analysis of the UK construction industry shows that in 2024 (latest data available) it employed an estimated total of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Making Small Office Spaces Feel Much Larger

Small offices can often seem tight, making it hard for employees to work comfortably. Not enough space may lower mood and affect how well people do their jobs. Good design choices, though, help any small workspace feel bigger, brighter, and easy to move around in. How a space is perceived can often influence comfort and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Breaking News

£2.7bn in Development Opportunities Across England

The latest research by specialist property finance lender, West One Loans, has shown that there are currently £2.7 billion worth of development opportunities in the current market, with the South West home to the highest proportion of potential plots available for developers to capitalise on. West One Loans analysed current land, plot, and site listings…
Read More