The trade body’s latest materials forecast report showed that both sales volumes and values for heavyside building materials fell in the last three months of 2023.

The report went on to say that there were few signs that the situation would improve in the first quarter of this year.

Building materials sales are only expected to improve, when interest rates fall, and the nation moves towards a general election.

BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “Fourteen interest rate rises, alongside the effects of a cost-of-living crisis, have taken their toll both on consumer confidence and the new house building market.”

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A kind-hearted plumber saved Christmas for one family in Glasgow. 

The Morgan’s family Christmas was disrupted by a small leak that soon turned into a flood.

Although an emergency plumber fixed the initial problem, the Queen Cross Housing Association wasn’t able to resolve the situation until after the festive break.

After seeing the story on Glasgow Live a local plumber came forward anonymously and offered to help the family for free ahead of Christmas day.

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And finally, Kev Crane, the plumber who secured a record contract after he was heard singing in the bathroom of a record producer, is going on tour in Spring.

The 51-year-old is fitting one more bathroom in January before heading on tour with his first album.

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