So, we finally reach the Government’s end of year report on housing on what has been another challenging 12 months for the industry.
On the face of it, there are lots of positives to enjoy from 2015. And the year was rounded off in fine style by the Chancellor, of Builder George as he is becoming known, with a raft of housing-related initiatives, funding and proposals all designed to generate a bold new housebuilding target for the Government.
Builder George certainly drew lots of plaudits and favourable headlines with his Spending Review in November.
It capped a year when the Government placed a significant emphasis on housebuilding and stimulating the industry. The re-opening of brick production facilities and new investment by manufacturers certainly seemed to endorse the Government’s drive.
So we head into 2016 with a renewed optimism, after all Britain is building again. Isn’t it?
Amid all the A’s and A+’s on the end of year report card, there are still far too many “could try harder” demerits that the Government needs to work harder to address.
Chief amongst these remains the skills crisis that many in the industry believe could ultimately scupper the Government’s grand plan. Indeed, the Federation of Master Builders paints a very stark picture for the industry and has levelled stinging criticism at Government inactivity.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The construction industry is in the midst of a skills crisis which can only be solved if more employers take on apprentices.
"Our research shows that 94% of small construction firms want to train apprentices but a third are being turned off by a number of serious “fear factors”. These include the cost of employing and training an apprentice and major concerns regarding the complexity of the process.”
With such fear factors still very much in evidence, 2016 promises no respite from the challenges facing housing and the wider construction industry.
But there remain plenty of positives to take us into the next 12 months.
On that note, thanks for your continued support of TSP Media throughout 2015. We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2016.
