The Government must remove barriers to small house builders, to ensure that the market can make a resilient recovery over the next six months, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). This is in response to ONS data published today which shows construction output fell by 40.1% in April 2020, driven by a fall in private new housing of 59.2%.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Construction output has plummeted during the lockdown. Restrictions on the housing market lead to a significant drop in private new housing in April. The fact that 1 in 3 small to medium-sized (SME) house builders left the sector in 2008 demonstrates the acute need to support them over the next six months. Having a housing sector which includes an army of SME builders will help to ensure it is more resilient, diverse and of a high quality as we reshape and re-imagine the sector. We must do this in order to build the homes we need as the country recovers from the coronavirus. The Government must look at how they can ease the structural barriers that SMEs face when it comes to bringing forward new homes. The FMB is calling for a more manageable planning system, and greater availability of affordable land for small scale development. These are two areas which could make all the difference in terms of having a more sustainable housing market.”
Notes to editors
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to help them succeed. The FMB is committed to raising quality in the construction industry and offers a free Find a Builder service to consumers.
