The National Federation of Builders (NFB) believes that a shortage in building materials is harming the Government’s housebuilding and construction ambitions.
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) said, “The Government cannot magic up building materials, but they can ensure the impact isn’t as great. Through keeping an eye on importation challenges, such as paperwork and port access and continuing to work on HGV driver solutions, material issues can be improved.
“However, the NFB and HBA is calling on the Government to put out a Ministerial Statement telling councils they should show greater flexibility on materials changes, such as bricks, as well as not serve completion notices when a project is clearly delayed.”
Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Housing at the House Builders Association (HBA), the housebuilding division of the NFB said, “The Government is at a crossroads. Due to reduced productivity, Covid has made the broken planning system even more inefficient and material shortages will put the final nail in coffin for some SMEs. Every HBA board member I have spoken to supports our short-term recommendations on project material flexibility and delaying completion notices because they are not only worried for their own businesses but the sector as a whole.”
