Housing minister backs FMB’s call to boost SME builders
Posted: Friday, September 27th, 2024
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP expressed concerns that the UK is overly reliant on a small number of volume builders and that we must diversify the market, backing a long-term call from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, commented: “Forty years ago, around 40% of new homes in Britain were built by SMEs. "Today, that figure stands at around 10%. The target of 1.5 million new homes will require houses to be built at a rate not seen since the 1960s.” Berry added that he was “delighted” to see the new Minister acknowledge SME builders' crucial role in delivering on these goals. He welcomes the opportunity to work with the Minister on this issue. FMB argues that small builders experience substantial barriers to the housing market. The Government's announcement of significant planning reforms is a positive first step. Berry says: “However, we need to see more small sites unlocked to ensure that provisions in the NPPF are being followed at the local level. “More dedicated resources must also be given to local authority planning departments, specifically to support small builders in navigating the planning system."
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