Supporting the important role played by small building firms in the British economy will be “essential” for the next government, according to the UK’s largest builder group.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which represents around 12,000 building firms, made its plea at the launch of its general election manifesto in Westminster yesterday, attended by both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat shadow business ministers.
FMB director-general Richard Diment said small buildings firms should be free from excessive control, regulation and taxation. He also called for a reform of the planning system to make it simpler, faster and more efficient.
“The benefit of this would be to encourage more housebuilding at a time when we are building fewer homes than at anytime since 1947,” he said.
Mr Diment said the next government should reform public procurement to ensure that only contractors who employ apprentices are on approved procurement lists for public sector work.
He also called for mandatory refurbishment standards to be established to match the UK’s legal commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
