Public support for new house building is increasing and needs to be addressed if we are to tackle Britain’s growing housing crisis, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to new findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey. The survey findings reveal that the number of people saying that they oppose new house building in their area has fallen from 46% in 2010 to 21% in 2014, and those supportive of new homes in their area has risen from
Conservative Party plans to deliver 200,000 new homes for first-time buyers is a welcome ambition but needs to be delivered by a range of builders to ensure good quality design and diversity, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The FMB supports the ambition of the Starter Homes policy to improve options and affordability for first time buyers. This is a model which can be made to work, but it will be important
The Local Government Association’s (LGA) newly launched local government construction procurement strategy sets the framework for improving public procurement for small and micro firms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The LGA launched the Construction Category Strategy earlier this month. It is intended to support a more focused approach to what is a key spending area for local government and a major source of employment across the country. The LGA hopes the strategy will highlight new developments and ideas
A construction skills time bomb is ticking, with skills shortages on the increase across a number of trades and professions, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey for Q4 2014 show small construction firms are experiencing particular difficulties recruiting carpenters, joiners and bricklayers. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “As the shock waves from the latest economic downturn continue to reverberate through the construction sector, concerns over diminished workloads have
The future of the construction industry hangs in the balance following today’s government announcement on apprenticeship funding reforms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Today’s announcement by the Skills Minister offers no clarity or reassurance regarding the future of apprenticeship funding. Despite the business community – across many sectors – repeatedly warning government of the potential impact of their proposed reforms on the desire and ability of SMEs to train apprentices,
A drop in “do-it-yourself” activity among home owners could lead to a rise in rogue builders, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The news that 41% of home owners would rather pay for a professional than carry out DIY comes as no surprise – we Britons are working longer hours and many people don’t want to spend what little free time they have battling with shelves and wrestling with rolls of wallpaper,
Nearly a third of UK home owners are looking to carry out work on their home in the next three years, with up to £6 billion in projected works planned annually, according to a new study from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Encouragingly, almost 40% of these are set to be major refurbishments, including new kitchens, new bathrooms and home extensions, while smaller works such as loft conversions and conservatories account for 38%. More than one in five home owners
London’s house building industry needs to be much more open to competitiveness and diversity if the number of new homes needed in the capital is to be delivered, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, FMB Chief Executive, said: “The London Assembly Housing Committee’s call to the Mayor of London to use his power to enable greater competition and diversity in the London house building market is a welcome initiative, because we desperately need more smaller house builders to
Today’s Queen’s Speech announcing measures to allow zero carbon exemptions for small developers, and new legislation to tackle late payment, will make a meaningful difference to the fortunes of small construction firms and house builders, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The legislative programme for the final year of this Parliament shows that the Coalition is far from a so-called “zombie government”. The small developers’ exemption from zero carbon homes regulations will
With preparations for the first contractor-focused building and construction exhibition in more than five years gathering momentum, the Build Show is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) to bring an even greater wealth of training, support and networking opportunities to the event. As the UK’s largest trade association in the building industry, the FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for builders across the UK. Established in 1941 to
- 1
- 2
