Planning approvals fall to a 14-year low in Q2, tougher right-to-work rules come into force, and an 18-year-old joiner travels to Uganda to donate tools and train youngsters
Planning approvals for new homes dropped to a 14-year low, according to figures from the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
Just 45,000 units were given the green light in England in the second quarter, down 21% from the first three months of the year.
Larger house builders were particularly hard hit, with approvals for sites of 10 or more properties down by a fifth from the first quarter.
The HBF blamed weak buyer demand, mortgage affordability and rising development costs for cutting off investment in new sites.
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Tougher right-to-work rules came into force last week, as part of a government crackdown on illegal workers in the construction industry.
Under new regulations, self employed workers and non-standard labour are now subject to similar checks as full time employees.
Businesses caught employing illegal workers without the necessary checks could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
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An 18-year-old joiner has taken £400 worth of donated tools to Uganda.
Joel Hulley, who only qualified when he returned, taught young people basic building and welding skills during his visit to a children’s charity in Kampala.
The charity takes in newborns and children up to the age of 16, providing them with a home, family and education.
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