Housing

We have no builders: Skills shortages threaten Government’s house building targets

By Peter Skalski

Last September the government announced an ambitious target to get a million new homes built by the end of the parliament. Unfortunately, grand pledges on housebuilding from politicians have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Governments of both sides have consistently failed to ensure that the country builds the sufficient number of homes it needs. Many commentators are sceptical that this million homes target can be realised, particularly as the Government’s Housing Bill is aimed at enabling home ownership rather than increasing the supply of homes.