The housebuilding sector has risen to the government’s challenge to build around one million new homes by 2020 and is currently well on target to deliver.
In return for making this commitment, this month leading members of the construction industry have requested that ministers publicly acknowledge their achievements.
Negative perceptions about the industry
Stewart Baseley, Home Builders Federation (HBF) executive chairman, said: “The government has quite rightly recognised the social and political need for them to address the UK’s chronic housing shortage. Housebuilders have risen to the challenge by massively upping the supply, whilst providing increasing contributions to local communities by factoring in affordable housing, improving infrastructure and creating amenities.
“The constant criticism of the industry often fails to recognise the huge progress that is being made. Negative perceptions hinder further efforts to increase supply by encouraging and providing excuses for the anti-development lobby and local authorities resistant to building development. It also makes recruiting the brightest and best people more difficult. Housebuilders across the country face huge challenges getting sites agreed and recruiting skilled workers and these ongoing problems are exacerbated by negative perceptions of the industry.”
New homes built is at a record high and quality is improving
Since 2014, the volume of new housing supplied is up by 74% and this month research surveys showed an upturn in the way housebuilders are meeting today’s needs by not only improving build quality, but also benefiting local communities to the value of £6bn per annum with private sector firms creating 50% of all affordable housing. The increase in building has created substantially more employment and training opportunities within the construction industry. The highest record of planning permissions have been granted to ensure that 300,000 new homes can be delivered every year.
Government recognition and support for housebuilders will bring results
HBF’s Stewart Baseley added: “Our industry has also reacted positively to reverse the minimal, but unacceptable drop in quality and customer service levels, which requires a commitment all the way from board level down. We have made a huge investment in training, recruitment, staff retention and land acquisition to satisfy the promises made by the government.
“We are calling on the government to continue to work with the industry constructively to deliver further mutually beneficial goals.”
