THE WORD AT WESTMINSTER
WHAT’S UP AT WESTMINSTER?
With local elections underway across England, FMB Head of External Affairs Jeremy Gray asks what impact the results will have on small builders W estminster hasn’t been the focus of the political scene recently, with local elections taking part in various areas
construction sector. In real terms, the FMB is the closest standards requirement we have to licensing – for the moment at least. The FMB campaign for a mandatory licensing scheme, Licence to Build, is in full swing. Details can be found on our website’s campaign section. On 7 May, we launched new research in collaboration with the HomeOwners Alliance looking at the perceptions of the building industry. We found that 81% of UK homeowners support mandatory licensing for builders, while 47% of UK adults are incorrectly under the impression that a licensing scheme already exists. New FMB report On 20 May, the FMB headed to the House of Lords, for the launch of our new research report Licence to Build , at a hotly attended event packed with builders, politicians, journalists, industry experts, and victims of rogue traders.The report sets out a framework for what a potential scheme might look like in reality. We’re now encouraging supporters of our campaign to contact their local MP, to encourage them to deliver change for builders and consumers. A properly regulated system where individuals and companies must demonstrate basic competence and professionalism would offer real protection for consumers while lifting the standards across the sector. Licensing has the power to transform our industry. It would remove rogue traders, elevate public confidence, and encourage new talent to see construction as a respected and rewarding career. It would also lead to safer, more efficient, and more productive project delivery – benefitting clients and professionals alike.
of England. We may increasingly see political machinations shift from London with mayors increasingly gaining power. Time will tell if regional mayors will be able to secure funding for local projects, but the mood seems positive. The big story from the elections was, of course, Reform UK gaining hundreds of new seats across various local councils and clinching power in certain councils such as Kent and Staffordshire. The party also gained the Mayoralty of Lincolnshire, with former Tory Minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns at the helm. We don’t know yet what this means for builders as Reform UK’s manifesto was light on detail and, seemingly, different councils are allowed to create decisions independently of the main party. We’ll need to wait to see if anything comes from this in terms of housebuilding and other local matters that affect builders. But we can’t overlook major strides made by the Liberal Democrats, which gained a number of new councillors and took control of Shropshire, Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Much like Reform UK, the impact is unclear, but incumbent Lib Dem councils have been tricky customers when it comes to housing delivery.
The UK needs a mandatory licensing scheme for construction
Mandatory licensing We know that anyone can call
themselves a builder and legally carry out construction work. No qualifications are required; no minimum standards need to be met. Whether it’s a home extension, a commercial renovation or essential safety repairs, there is currently no legal requirement for builders or tradespeople to prove they are competent before starting the job. This lack of regulation leaves consumers exposed to poor workmanship, safety risks, and costly mistakes. It also undermines the credibility of the thousands of skilled, responsible professionals who are committed to delivering high-quality work. In short, it’s damaging the reputation and effectiveness of the entire
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Master Builder
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