Call for new Construction Minister to take action on home standards and quality

The new Construction Minister Andrew Stephenson is being urged to raise quality and standards in the home building industry by introducing licensing.

Stephenson, MP for Pendle in Lancashire, was given the job after the pervious Minister Richard Harrington resigned over Brexit.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said:

‘I warmly welcome Andrew Stephenson into his new role and I look forward to working with him to raise standards, quality and professionalism in the construction industry.’

But he urged the new Minister to take action sooner rather than later as the publication of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and the quality of some new build homes being called into question means that now is the time to improve standards and increase productivity.

Brian Berry said:

‘The time is right to look at a meaningful way in which we can purge the sector of rogue firms and unprofessional outfits once and for all.

He explained that a mandatory licensing scheme for the whole UK construction sector has widespread support among the industry and home owners, alike. ‘The Government must legislate to stop the scourge of unprofessional behaviour blighting the entire industry.’

He also pointed out that with the recent appointment of a member of the FMB onto the Construction Leadership Council, the federation will be working with the Minister on implementing the Sector Deal in a way that will help to unleash the potential of small to medium sized construction firms.

Berry added:

‘After all, they are the bedrock of the industry, training two thirds of all construction apprentices and forming the supply chain of larger contractors. We must tirelessly work to remove barriers to SME construction companies if we are to deliver on the Government’s infrastructure targets.’

Stephenson, who was first elected as Conservative MP for Pendle in May 2010, has previously been a Government whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury, from January 2018 to April 2019 and assistant Government whip from June 2017 to January 2018.

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