A renewed Get Britain Building campaign is urging the government to get behind SME builders and UK manufacturers and distributors of construction products as it ramps up investment in critical infrastructure, public and commercial buildings and housing.
The latest phase of the 11-year old Get Britain Building campaign, which was launched on February 25 at the World HQ of JCB, highlights the multiplier effect of buying UK produced materials and building new homes using local builders, which could deliver a £94bn return to the UK economy at current rates of build.
Led by the Building Alliance, the Builders Merchants Federation, and the Federation of Master Builders, the campaign also calls for a major investment in our existing housing stock, to help achieve the government’s Net Zero Carbon target by 2050 and to encourage owner-occupiers to adapt their homes to meet changing needs.
Addressing the skills gap is another priority area, with the campaign calling upon Government to work with the industry and educators to increase the take up of construction apprenticeships and introduce an upskilling programme to encourage continuous improvement across the sector.
Mike Leonard, CEO of the Building Alliance, said: “We are at the start of a new decade, with a new government that has a unique opportunity to build our way to success. Investing in critical infrastructure, public and commercial buildings and housing will support long term economic growth, create jobs and promote social inclusion.
“The UK needs high quality homes that are safe, flexible, adaptable, resilient and built to last 150 years. We currently manufacture 80% of the materials we use to build new homes in the UK. No other industry can rival this. We must continue to invest in UK manufacturing and support local builders to enjoy the huge economic multiplier that results.”
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, added: “The building supply chain is vital to our economy, supporting both new build and the upgrading of existing homes. The government must create a UK business environment where manufacturers of construction materials and products have the confidence and desire to invest, particularly at a time when they are asking the industry how best to construct, insulate, heat and ventilate our homes.
“Furthermore, if we are to achieve net zero by 2050, government must provide confidence and support to homeowners to undertake the necessary upgrades.”
Brian Berry, FMB CEO, continued: “Builders are tackling a skills shortage that could hamper growth in the sector over the new decade. More than half of builders are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters, and intermediate apprenticeship starts are in decline. We have the tools we need to turn this around – dedicated builders passionate about their craft – we just need the Government to ensure that the policy landscape allows them to train to a high standard. That means investing in small businesses to create opportunities for young people.
“The Government has ambitious targets around building a million new homes and reaching a low-carbon standard for new homes by 2025. Master Builders stand ready to meet these challenges but they need the support of Government to help them secure a pipeline of new talent coming through.”
The three organisations behind Get Britain Building are encouraging other industry trade bodies to get involved and add their voices to the campaign.
Mike Leonard concluded: “There is much to support in the government’s outline construction plans, but they need to consult organisations that understand the industry. The experience of all of industry professionals and the research carried out by academics will help to guide practical, workable policies that achieve the best long-term results for our homes, our environment and our industry.”
Get Britain Building: the background
The event on the 25 February 2020 marked the relaunch of the Get Britain Building Campaign which was first launched in 2008, with all party support, as a response to what tuned out to be the longest and deepest recession in living memory. Supported by Industry and the trade press, the campaign has enjoyed significant traction and the Get Britain Building message has been extensively adopted. Investment has followed and the industry has enjoyed a good recovery.
With global economic head winds putting pressure on the market and the UK now having left the EU, the time is right to secure the future of Great Britain by investing in infrastructure, new homes and other buildings and the improvement of existing buildings.
This includes investment in our already strong building materials manufacturing capacity to reduce imports and in attracting and properly training new talent to build a world-class built environment.
Click the links to see the latest Get Britain Building campaign document and its list of key recommendations
