Construction worker shortage causes concerns

The UK construction industry is facing a significant shortage of workers, with industry leaders warning that the country lacks the necessary manpower to meet the Government's target of building 1.5m homes by 2029. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Barratt Redrow highlighted that tens of thousands of new recruits are needed across various trades, including 20,000 bricklayers and 8,000 carpenters. David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Redrow, stated: "The short answer is no" when asked if there are enough workers to meet the demand. Factors contributing to the crisis include an ageing workforce, skills shortages, and the impact of Brexit, which has reduced the availability of skilled workers from the EU. Despite the Government's recent announcement of £140m funding for apprenticeships, local councils have deemed the housing targets "unrealistic." The HBF emphasised the need for a more pro-development policy to increase housing supply. 

BBC News (14/12/2024)