CPA downgrades industry forecast due to the Middle East conflict, builders could be forced to rely on illegal workers, and Band of Builders completes 50th project
The CPA has slashed its forecast for construction output by 2.5% for the remainder of the year.
A hike in energy prices is being blamed for driving higher inflation and forcing clients to delay projects.
Private housing is expected to take a big hit, with output slumping by 7% due to higher mortgage rates and falling buyer confidence.
The trade body also warned that repair, maintenance, and improvement work will plummet by 8%, as homeowners rein in discretionary spending.
The only bright spot was the infrastructure sector, which is expected to grow by 3.2%.
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Builders will be forced to rely on illegal immigration to meet the government’s ambitious housing target, unless it relaxes visa rules, warned the Fabian Society.
A report by the think tank highlights the industry skills crisis and suggests introducing a ‘work and teach’ visa scheme to combat it.
Currently, there are 37,000 skilled worker vacancies in the construction sector.
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More than 30 volunteer tradespeople from Band of Builders have completed the extension of an Ipswich builder who had been diagnosed with cancer of the spine.
Jay House had completed the exterior shell of the two-storey extension before falling ill in 2024.
In just 14 days, the project team completed the extension, including fitting a completely new kitchen.
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