FMB says construction needs to be included in Brexit preparations

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has recently published a statement in which the Chief Executive, Brian Berry, iterates that the construction sector must not be neglected in the Brexit preparation process after recent PMI data revealed that sector output had, yet again, declined.

According to the PMI data which the FMB received, output in April declined its second sharpest rate since 2009, while a fall in staffing levels was the sixth most substantial in as many months and the was at its quickest rate since the end of 2010.

It is suspected by those within the industry that the repeated delays in Brexit have left investors unwilling to commit to any long term projects and so work pipelines in the construction have been severely lacking in recent months.

Specifically, the Chief Executive of the FMB, Brian Berry stated: “Following a Halloween Brexit delay, the spectre of uncertainty continues to haunt the construction industry, and this is leading to a sustained decline not seen in over six years.

“A Brexit delay, while giving some respite by avoiding a no-deal Brexit, has just led to further uncertainty and stagnation, which is leading to subdued client demand.

“We know that many homeowners are holding off undertaking home improvement works due to Brexit uncertainty and this is having a knock-on effect on builders workloads. It is unclear how long clients will hold off waiting for certainty and invest their money elsewhere.

“Ahead of the General Election, political parties should provide clear and unambiguous support for business and back this up with pro-enterprise policies.

“Now is the time for politicians to come up with some radical policies to give a much-needed boost to the UK’s construction industry. The new Prime Minister will also need to give much-needed certainty, from day 1, about the future direction of the UK and its relationship with the EU.”

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