The Chancellor’s Spring Statement was a missed an opportunity to boost construction activity at a time when house building is falling and more builders are leaving the industry, say the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said:

“Today’s Spring Statement was a missed opportunity to deliver the decisive action the construction industry urgently needs. While the Chancellor focused on reiterating previous announcements, small builders were left waiting for the practical measures that would unlock growth, boost housebuilding, and drive progress on retrofitting the UK’s homes. The Chancellor’s recognition that more needs to be done to get young people into apprenticeships and employment was welcome but the industry has heard similar promises before. Without clear policy detail, commitment to funding, and a long‑term plan to support SMEs, warm words do not translate into real jobs or skills.”

Berry concluded:

“This Spring Statement could have set out concrete steps to support small and medium-sized builders to deliver the homes the country desperately needs, accelerate energy‑efficient retrofitting, and introduce a robust licensing system to raise standards across the industry. Instead, it was another chance for real progress that has been allowed to pass by. If the Government is serious about economic growth, improved productivity, and meeting its housing and climate ambitions, it must move quickly from rhetoric to action and put small builders at the heart of its plans.”