The fall in residential building work for the third consecutive month in February, as reported by S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction PMI, is a major concern for small, local house builders, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “It is encouraging that overall business activity across the UK construction sector is on the rise. However, the fall in residential building work will cause much concern for SME house builders, especially as it’s in part driven by the expectation of weakened demand. Small, local house builders are facing increasing cost pressures from a range of upcoming regulatory changes and desperately need a change in fortunes”.
Berry continued: “In this month’s Spring Budget, the Government needs to prioritise the delivery of the new homes that the UK so desperately needs. We need to see significant reform to the current planning system, which is far too slow and complex, alongside direct funding from government into planning departments. If the Government wants to deliver its stated ambition to deliver a more diverse housing supply then it needs to be actively supporting small house builders.”
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.
