Responding to the prime minister’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference yesterday (5 October), the leader of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has criticised the PM for the lack of detail in her economic growth plan. He also praised Liz Truss’ commitment to growth and business, saying that it could help building firms through the tough economic times ahead.
Brian Berry, the FMB’s chief executive, said: “The prime minister’s commitment to growth and business is positive. However, the details about how this will happen are in short supply.
“What is needed is a clearer focus about the range of policies intended to help stimulate economic growth. A comprehensive retrofit plan to make our existing housing greener and more energy efficient would not only reduce householders’ energy bills but create thousands of new jobs in every village, town and city.
“I would have also liked to hear more detail about making it easier to build new homes, not just in investment zones. Small house builders can deliver high-quality homes, using local labour. The planning system needs reforming and with the prime minister’s focus on a deregulation agenda, the government should use this momentum to make it easier to get spades in the ground and get SME builders delivering more homes.”
