Research

As part of our role to advise and influence policy makers and opinion formers, the FMB aims to produce regular, high quality, thought-provoking, independent research. Our recent research reports are available to download below. All of the reports seek to contribute to the development of successful policies on housing, planning, business and the environment.

The effects of a reduction in the rate of VAT on the labour element of housing repair, maintenance and improvement

Published: December 2011
Authors: Experian
Summary: In February 2010 the 21 original members of the Cut the VAT campaign commissioned a report to review the effect of a cut in the rate of VAT; The Opportunities and Cost of Cutting VAT: The effects of selected reductions in the rate of VAT on the labour element of housing repair, maintenance and improvement. Its findings strongly support the campaign’s assumptions that a targeted cut in VAT to 5% would be beneficial to the UK economy, as well as resulting in a higher standard of living. In January 2011, the standard rate of VAT increased from 17.5% to 20%. Therefore the research has been updated to take into account changes to construction output statistics, industry forecasts and to the standard rate of VAT.

Download, PDF 291 KB

Tackling the Housing Crisis. A Policy Review and Recommendations

Published: November 2011
Authors: The Federation of Master Builders
Summary: The housing system is in crisis with housing supply failing to meet current demand.  Decades of insufficient house building have combined with a severe economic recession to exclude increasing numbers of people from any hope of home ownership. Therefore, this report attempts to highlight some of the key barriers preventing an increase in the supply of new housing and to offer some solutions as to how these might be overcome.  We hope it will help inform the growing debate about the need to tackle the shortage of homes and encourage action both within government and the house building industry.

Download, PDF 2.25 MB

Housing Futures: Our Homes and Communities

Published: June 2010
Authors: Professor Anne Power and Laura Lane, Department of Social Policy, LSE
Summary: The report examines the four big pressures that drive the future of housing policy in the UK - supply and affordability of homes; environmental limits; social cohesion; and economic change.  It reveals that reusing small empty sites of up to two hectares could more than meet the UK’s housing demand without building on green field land. By making our existing homes greener and more energy efficient, the research reveals that the building industry will have enough work in this field to keep every small and medium sized builder running to stay on top for the next 30 years. To capitalize on this growth market, the report calls for higher standards within the building industry, particularly for the 200,000 Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) which make up 99 percent of building industry. The introduction of a ‘Code for Sustainable Existing Homes’ would drive up the energy efficiency standards of our existing homes, and accreditation and Competent Person Schemes would also enhance the status of the industry, providing they are linked to real experience and hands-on training.

Download, PDF 1.26 MB

The Opportunities and Cost of Cutting VAT: The effects of selected reductions in the rate of VAT on the labour element of housing repair, maintenance and improvement

Published: February 2010
Authors: Experian
Summary: This report is a comprehensive review of the effect of a cut in the rate of VAT on housing repair, maintenance and improvement on Treasury income, as well as its impact on environmental and employment policy. The report reveals that a cut to 5% VAT in this sector would benefit the UK by creating tens of thousands of jobs at a time of high unemployment and would enable the Government to achieve its target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Commissioned by 21 different organisations it aims to provoke continued dialogue with decision makers in government about the introduction of this important change to the VAT rates on home repair, maintenance and improvement.

Download, PDF 500 KB

Building a Greener Britain: Transforming the UK's existing Housing Stock

Published: June 2008
Author: Gavin Killip, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Summary: The report reveals that building firms, product manufacturers and suppliers could stand to tap into a new market worth between £3.5 and £6.5 billion per year if the UK developed policies, skills programmes, and financial incentives to upgrade our existing housing stock to make it greener and more energy efficient. The report argues that what is urgently needed to create this new market is a clear policy signal from government to start a process of in innovation, skills development, and capacity building in the construction industry.

Download, PDF 1.30 MB