What would you do to improve housebuilding in the country?
Posted: Thursday, December 7th, 2023
With the most recent cabinet reshuffle seeing us get out 16 housing ministers since the Tory government took power, Clive Holland seeks to determine how the housebuilding sector can improve. Tony Humphries from A&D Brickwork believes the housing sector has been in "turmoil" with the government. "We need stability, and this is the 16th minister we've had in 13 years. I don't see how Lee Rowley is going to make an impact. I can't see how these appointments are made in the best interest of the sector," he states. He adds that the areas they work in have seen a "significant slowdown". "We've had to reduce our labour force and I can't see it improving for the next few months. I think we're at the bottom of the market." For Steve Turner, executive director of the Home Builders Federation having yet another housing minister is "really frustrating". "We've had more housing ministers than Chelsea FC managers since 2010. Seven in the past two years. "It makes it very difficult to build a relationship with the minister and for him/ her to get up to speed so they can make the decisions currently we desperately need them to make. Housing building is falling sharply now, and we need government support," he vents. He also notes that the current planning system is a "major barrier". "It's taking three to four years to get planning permissions to the point where you can start to build, whereas in the past it took 12 months. This is impacting SMEs. We've got 150,000 homes on hold," Turner points out. Listen to the whole show here.
Trending Stories
-
Essex electrician has roundabout signs rejected
A sparkie’s bid to sponsor signs on two roundabouts has been refused by planning chiefs who described them as “clutter”
-
Barbie caused a ‘worldwide’ shortage of pink paint
Barbie needed so much fluorescent pink paint that it caused a worldwide supply shortage for an entire company
-
Builders find body of man murdered in the 1960s and buried in back garden
A woman who bought a South London house was left horrified after builders discovered the body of a man murdered in the 1960s and buried in her garden 14 months after she moved in
-
'Government insulation scheme ruined my home'
A home-owner said his flat has been ruined by black mould caused by a government "green" insulation schem
-
Builder celebrates lottery win by buying his coworkers bacon butties
A builder from Milford Haven who won big on the lottery celebrated his victory by treating all his workmates to a round of bacon rolls
Comments
Add a comment