The 96-page paper examines the current state of the construction industry, including the problems caused by skills shortages and poor construction methods, while also focusing on the negative connotations around social housing.  

Ian Hodgkinson, managing director of Hodgkinson Builders, who wrote the report, spoke to Clive Holland on the Clive Holland Show last week, where he said:

“Well, to be honest, Clive, through the all the years of experience that I've had, I wanted to put something back into the community and into the trade. I've seen these issues year on year.

“So I teamed up with Derby University, and I thought we can do something about this, and we can put it into writing, to see if we can put a few issues right. It's not political. I'm not after anybody. We've got these fundamental issues, and I thought we could do something about it.”

The report goes on to explain how every affordable home built in the UK could generate an additional £108,000 for the economy, Ian explained:

“It's not just the case of building a house. We've got the actual cost of building the house, but then we've got other factors on top of that. You buy a house, apply carpets, buy lampshades, a settee, dining chairs, etc.

"Then on Friday night, I'll have a beer and I'll buy some food. It all starts to add up [contributing to the economy]. And to be honest, I think that a lot of the UK economy emanates from house building.”

Clive went on to question the responsibility of Ian to write something like this, but Ian went on to say he just wants to give something back

“This trade has been good to me, I'm going to try and give a little bit back. I'm going to try and do something about it to try and get the message out, to encourage people to come into the trade. Fundamentally, we need more good people in the building trade, no doubt about it”.

You can listen to more industry news alongside exclusive interviews and great tunes every Monday – Thursday from 2pm on the Clive Holland Show on Fix Radio.