The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), has long been calling for the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme to boost standards in the construction industry to protect both traders and consumers.

Last week, the FMB launched their new ‘Licence to Build’ report, setting out a framework model for implementing a licensing scheme in the UK, with an event in Parliament where the Chair of the ESNZ Committee, Bill Esterson MP, attended as the keynote speaker.

Licensing has been an ongoing discussion point in the industry for many years and, having been championed by the FMB, has been coming under the spotlight in recent months, particularly following the publication of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, which called for the implementation of licensing of contractors working on high-risk buildings.

It was introduced to Parliament through a Private Members' Bill by Mark Garnier MP in 2021, which is being brought back to Parliament in June this year.   

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) commented: “It is fantastic news that the influential House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee is calling for a national accreditation and licensing scheme to ensure retrofit work is accountable.

“This underpins the FMB’s call for a mandatory licensing scheme for all domestic building companies to help drive up standards in the building industry. Whilst the Committee rightly focuses on licensing installers carrying out retrofit work, to make this more effective, all domestic building companies will need to be licensed.”

Berry continued: “In the UK today, anyone can call themselves a builder, regardless of training, skill, or experience. A lack of basic regulation is holding our industry back. It puts lives at risk, damages trust and undermines the reputation of every honest professional delivering high-quality work.

“Mandatory licensing will drive out rogue traders, protect consumers from poor workmanship, enhance the image of construction as a skilled and respected profession, and foster a safer, higher-quality built environment for everyone. Delivering real change will require major political will, and today’s ESNZ Committee report is a vital step, which I hope the Government will now support.”