As Andy Burnham prepares to enter Downing Street, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has urged the incoming Prime Minister to prioritise rapid housing delivery and targeted support for small construction firms as the economy stagnates.

Making the call, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: "With the fall in the number of new homes being built, Burnham needs to concentrate on rolling out a series of practical measures that will unlock the potential of the nation's small builders, which should include diversifying the housing market; tackling the construction skills shortage; supporting the rollout of energy efficiency upgrades of existing homes; and creating the business conditions needed for small businesses to thrive."

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Setting out the challenges facing SMEs, Berry continued: "While recent years have seen welcome commitments on housing, planning reform, and economic growth, delivery is still lacking, and many small construction firms continue to face significant barriers, including rising costs, skills shortages, planning delays, and weak consumer confidence. Builders will be looking to the new government to match ambition with delivery and create the conditions that will allow SMEs to thrive. The UK cannot meet its housing ambitions without a diverse housing market, and that means giving smaller house builders a much greater role in delivering the homes the country needs, including through opportunities in the social and affordable housing sector."

Calling for stronger consumer protections to raise standards, Berry concluded: "Greater progress is also needed to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for domestic building companies to drive up standards and improve consumer confidence. Small building companies are rooted in their local communities and, if supported in the right way, stand ready to play their full part in delivering the homes, jobs and economic growth that are needed all across the country."