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The appointment of Steve Reed MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, following the resignation of Angela Rayner MP, must signal the start of a new drive for delivery of the Government’s stated target to build 1.5 million new homes, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The UK construction industry is picking up pace in 2025 with an increase in workloads and enquiries for new work but the downside is that homeowners may still face longer waits, rising prices, and even cancelled projects, reports the new SME State of Trade Survey, carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

Our latest survey, refreshed for 2025, reveals strong growth in workloads, enquiries and employment — tempered by ongoing recruitment difficulties and cost concerns.

The Housing Secretary Angela Rayner MP has today announced a major shake-up of the planning system, with changes designed to make life easier for small, local builders.

Reforms to the UK planning system announced today by the Government represent a major boost to the nation's micro and SME house builders.

FMB Northern Ireland Director Gavin McGuire meets with industry standards bodies and the NI Executive to promote the role of SMEs.

New figures for planning applications in 2024, published by the Government today show worrying signs that, despite the push to boost house building rates, permissions granted to small sites of 9 units or fewer are down, demonstrating the smallest house builders are struggling to get homes delivered, warns the FMB.

On the 16 December, we hosted the FMB's Winter Parliamentary Reception for 2024 at the House of Lords, inviting our members, construction stakeholders and politicians to gather for an evening of discussion on the issues that matter to SMEs in the building industry.

A report from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) commissioned by the FMB, looking into the opportunities for small house builders.  

The Government's long-awaited announcement on planning reform is a welcome boost to build more homes but the failure to increase the percentage of small site allocations from the existing 10% is a big disappointment for micro housebuilders, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Reviewing the role of CITB NI, water infrastructure connection issues, along with presenting to the Economy Committee and heads of civil service departments, have been part of a busy period for FMB NI.

Small building companies are reporting falling workloads, material costs going up, and a shortage of available workers, according to the latest State of Trade Survey Q3 2024, from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

We take a look at the start the new Government have made, and what SME builders will need to see in the Budget on 30 October.

Homeowners are cutting back on home improvements as the cost of living begins to bite, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics

Housing requirements, NI water capacity and the upcoming Programme for Government are all priorities for FMB members’ voices in NI.

Master builder companies are reporting signs of stability within the building industry with workloads up seven per cent and enquires rising by three per cent over the last three months, according to the latest State of Trade Survey Q2 2024.

The return of national housing targets is welcome and very much needed if we are to deliver the 1.5 million new homes that the Government wants to build over the next five years, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

We take a look at the Labour Party’s manifesto pledges and what they offer for builders in this handy guide on the issues that matter most.

The Labour Party’s historic General Election victory offers an opportunity to tackle the UK’s housing crisis, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Ahead of the General Election on Thursday July 4th, the FMB has taken a look at what the main parties are offering the industry.

The appointment of Steve Reed MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, following the resignation of Angela Rayner MP, must signal the start of a new drive for delivery of the Government’s stated target to build 1.5 million new homes, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The UK construction industry is picking up pace in 2025 with an increase in workloads and enquiries for new work but the downside is that homeowners may still face longer waits, rising prices, and even cancelled projects, reports the new SME State of Trade Survey, carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

Our latest survey, refreshed for 2025, reveals strong growth in workloads, enquiries and employment — tempered by ongoing recruitment difficulties and cost concerns.

The Housing Secretary Angela Rayner MP has today announced a major shake-up of the planning system, with changes designed to make life easier for small, local builders.

Reforms to the UK planning system announced today by the Government represent a major boost to the nation's micro and SME house builders.

FMB Northern Ireland Director Gavin McGuire meets with industry standards bodies and the NI Executive to promote the role of SMEs.

New figures for planning applications in 2024, published by the Government today show worrying signs that, despite the push to boost house building rates, permissions granted to small sites of 9 units or fewer are down, demonstrating the smallest house builders are struggling to get homes delivered, warns the FMB.

On the 16 December, we hosted the FMB's Winter Parliamentary Reception for 2024 at the House of Lords, inviting our members, construction stakeholders and politicians to gather for an evening of discussion on the issues that matter to SMEs in the building industry.

A report from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) commissioned by the FMB, looking into the opportunities for small house builders.  

The Government's long-awaited announcement on planning reform is a welcome boost to build more homes but the failure to increase the percentage of small site allocations from the existing 10% is a big disappointment for micro housebuilders, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Reviewing the role of CITB NI, water infrastructure connection issues, along with presenting to the Economy Committee and heads of civil service departments, have been part of a busy period for FMB NI.

Small building companies are reporting falling workloads, material costs going up, and a shortage of available workers, according to the latest State of Trade Survey Q3 2024, from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

We take a look at the start the new Government have made, and what SME builders will need to see in the Budget on 30 October.

Homeowners are cutting back on home improvements as the cost of living begins to bite, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics

Housing requirements, NI water capacity and the upcoming Programme for Government are all priorities for FMB members’ voices in NI.

Master builder companies are reporting signs of stability within the building industry with workloads up seven per cent and enquires rising by three per cent over the last three months, according to the latest State of Trade Survey Q2 2024.

The return of national housing targets is welcome and very much needed if we are to deliver the 1.5 million new homes that the Government wants to build over the next five years, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

We take a look at the Labour Party’s manifesto pledges and what they offer for builders in this handy guide on the issues that matter most.

The Labour Party’s historic General Election victory offers an opportunity to tackle the UK’s housing crisis, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Ahead of the General Election on Thursday July 4th, the FMB has taken a look at what the main parties are offering the industry.