AUDIO NEWS: Tradespeople park illegally to protect vans and budget jitters knock construction output

Tool theft fears push tradespeople to park on the pavement, Autumn budget concerns delayed project decisions and VIY revamps clubhouse

The tool theft epidemic is driving tradespeople to risk picking up parking tickets.

According to Hayley McAuliffe, from security firm Titan Locks, desperate tradies are parking illegally to leave their vans within sight of their homes.

Matthew Lasebikan, a stonemason who recently had his van raided by thieves, parks his vehicle on the pavement in front of his Ring doorbell.

He told the BBC: “If your tools are stolen you can’t work, so I totally understand why people are parking on the pavement and risking fines.”

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Autumn budget jitters knocked construction output in the three months up to November.

Government figures show output fell by 1.1%, the steepest decline since March 2023.

Private housing repair and maintenance work saw the biggest drop, plunging by nearly 4% between September and November.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that clients and contractors paused decisions ahead of the budget, highlighting market uncertainty across large parts of the construction sector. 

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Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) in partnership with Toolstation has completed the refurbishment of Whitehall RFC’s clubhouse.

A team of young volunteers and staff from Toolstation redecorated the club lounge and built an open-faced kiosk for matchdays, so the club can better serve its community, and boost its income.

VIY is a charity that introduces youngsters to basic trade skills, while regenerating local community hubs.

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