BMF: Spring budget “missed opportunity to get Britain building”

The Builder’s Merchant Federation’s (BMF) CEO, John Newcomb, has expressed his disappointment with the chancellor’s Spring budget.

He explained that the budget is a “missed opportunity to get Britain building again”, and is designed to buy short term electronical support as opposed to promoting the long-term economic success of the country.

Newcomb said: “Despite a steep decline in housebuilding over the past 12 months, there was no fresh, impetus to speed the building of new and affordable homes in areas where they are most needed, Nor was there support for a vital national retrofit strategy – a key BMF ask of the chancellor – that would improve the energy efficiency of our existing homes, generate new skilled jobs, and boost local growth throughout the country.

“The budget speech was an exercise in clearing the decks before the General Election. We cannot help but be disappointed at the lack of fresh impetus for our supply chain, given the economic and societal benefits of new house-building and improving existing homes.”