The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has launched a 12-point priority plan that to highlight the areas of construction that it thinks the new government should be addressing.
Its 12 policies to #BUILDBETTER are:
HOUSING
- Make house building a national infrastructure priority
- Free up more public land for housing and break up into small plots for small builders
- Invest in local authority planning departments to speed up the planning process
SKILLS
- Promote vocational education and invest in Further Education
- Reform the Apprenticeship levy so it works better for small companies
- Introduce a fair and balance post- Brexit immigration system
QUALITY
- License all UK construction companies
- Introduce mandatory warranties for Building Control approved work
- Create a new General Builder Qualification
NET ZERO
- Create a National Retrofit Strategy
- Invest in upskilling builders to build and upgrade homes fit for the future
- Cut VAT on home improvement work to 5 per cent
Brian Berry, chief executive of FMB said in a recent statement: “In this Brexit election the main political parties mustn’t lose sight of the big issues facing the UK such as the current housing crisis. We are still not building enough new homes, and this has led to an affordability crisis and over-crowding. This election is an opportunity for all parties to publish ambitious plans to turn this situation around. Small builders stand ready to help the new Government not only to build more new homes but also make our existing homes more energy efficient.
“Small building companies will also be instrumental in helping the future government tackle other major challenges facing the UK, from helping to tackle the climate crisis to helping to building the hospitals and schools of the future. Our Programme for Government gives 12 clear policies for each of the political parties to adopt to support SME builders. Politicians must not only give the country the gift of resolving Brexit this Christmas, but also a vision for the future of our built environment.”
What do you think of FMB’s 12 policies? Let us know on probuildonline@gmail.com or tag us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
