AUDIO NEWS: 1 million tradespeople needed to deliver government plans and building costs rise by 15% by 2023

More than a million tradespeople potentially needed to meet the government's building ambitions, building costs rise by 15% by 2030, and builders take care not to disturb the penguins

Britain needs another million builders if it is to deliver the government’s ambitious construction and housing targets, claims a report from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

The trade body estimated that construction output may need to expand by up 40% if the industry is to build 1.5 million homes, meet Net Zero property targets, and deliver other major infrastructure projects. 

“This potentially could mean construction needing to attract more than 1 million new recruits,” stated the report.

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Building costs are expected to jump by 15% over the next five years — that’s according to a report from Building Cost Information Services (BCIS).

Labour costs remain the main driver of project costs, with the rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage feeding into a 7.1% hike in the BCSI Labour Cost Index earlier this year.

The labour index is also predicted to increase by 15% by the end of the decade.

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Builders working on the £18 million restoration of the Winter Gardens glasshouse in Great Yarmouth are using ‘considerate; construction techniques so they don’t disturb the nearby penguins.

Paul Tumelty, regional director with Vinci Buildings said that the team were being respectful of their feathered neighbours at the Sea Life centre and taking care not to create too much “dust, vibration or noise.”

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