Recommitment to stamp duty cuts and planning reforms will help Britain’s small construction firms get building, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), in response to Kwasi Kwarteng’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said:
“It will be a relief to small, local builders, that the Chancellor has today recommitted to extend the stamp duty threshold and liberalise planning to get Britain building. However, small builders across the country need access to land and a simpler planning system – not just those in investment zones. At the FMB we also support a review of current policies which are preventing businesses from taking on apprentices.”
Berry continued:
“Notably missing from the Chancellor’s speech, however, was any mention of reducing our energy demand. If the Chancellor really wants to get Britain moving and spread economic growth across the country, he should be backing a long-term national retrofit programme, boosted by a temporary cut in VAT.”