The fall in housing activity, as reported in the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) construction data, is further evidence about the growing housing crisis, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “A drop of 4.4% in housing activity in February should be a worrying signal to the Government that its housing policy isn’t working. At a time when our housing need is at its greatest, we are building fewer homes. That can’t be right! We need a long term plan to build and meet the country’s housing needs.”
Berry concluded: “The Government needs to get house building out of planning purgatory by simplifying the planning system and directing funding to local authority planning departments to help them take on and train more planning staff.”
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.
