LOCAL HOUSEBUILDER BACKS NATIONAL CALL TO GET BRITAIN BUILDING
A national campaign calling for action to tackle the challenges facing Britain’s housing and construction sector is gathering support from businesses across the property industry.
The Let’s Get Britain Building – NOW! campaign, launched by builders’ merchant Jewson, is calling for measures to make it easier for people to buy and improve their homes, simplify the planning process and encourage more people to pursue careers in construction.
The campaign has highlighted growing concerns about the challenges facing Britain’s housing market – from the shortage of new homes and lengthy planning processes to a lack of skilled tradespeople and the increasing costs associated with building and improving property.
For homebuyers and homeowners, particularly in areas such as London and the South East where demand for housing remains high, these challenges can have very real consequences.
Delays in bringing new homes to market can restrict choice and put additional pressure on existing housing stock, while shortages of skilled tradespeople can make it more difficult and expensive for homeowners to carry out improvements and renovations.
The campaign is calling for Government action in three key areas: greater financial support to help people buy or improve their homes; a simpler, faster and less expensive planning system; and increased investment in training and attracting the next generation of skilled construction workers.
Among those supporting the campaign is Joe Jelley of SME housebuilder Aspen Homes. Having worked within the property and construction sector for many years, Joe believes the challenges highlighted by the campaign are increasingly being felt by smaller and medium-sized housebuilders across the country. Small and medium-sized developers have traditionally played an important role in delivering new homes, often developing smaller sites that may not be suitable for the country’s largest housebuilders.
However, the number of SME housebuilders operating in Britain has fallen considerably over recent decades, prompting concerns about the impact this could have on the number and variety of new homes being built.
The Let’s Get Britain Building – NOW! campaign argues that addressing the challenges facing the sector could have benefits far beyond the construction industry.
Building new homes supports employment and businesses while creating opportunities for first-time buyers, growing families and those looking to downsize. Improving and renovating Britain’s existing homes also plays an important role in maintaining communities and supporting the wider economy.
For many people, the debate ultimately comes down to a relatively simple question: how can Britain make it easier to provide the homes people need while ensuring that new development is appropriate, sustainable and supported by the communities in which it takes place?
“Small and medium-sized housebuilders have always been the backbone of Britain’s housing industry. We deliver thoughtful developments, regenerate smaller sites and create local jobs, yet many SMEs are being squeezed out by an increasingly complex and costly planning system. Supporting businesses like ours isn’t simply about helping developers—it’s about increasing housing supply, strengthening local economies and giving more people the opportunity to own a home.”
“Alongside planning reform, we must also invest in the next generation of construction professionals. The industry offers rewarding careers across skilled trades, technical professions and management, yet we’re facing a growing skills shortage. Encouraging more young people into construction will not only help deliver more homes but also create long-term careers and strengthen our economy.”
Supporters of the campaign believe that improving the planning system, encouraging greater confidence in the housing market and investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople would be important steps towards achieving that goal.
The campaign has now progressed to the Parliamentary petitions system, where supporters are being encouraged to add their names to the call for action.
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