NFB: SMEs are key to delivering infrastructure and housing
National Federation of Builders
The Government has announced that £300 million of the Housing Infrastructure Fund will be invested in the West of England, Oxfordshire and Greater Manchester to help unlock housing developments and strengthen infrastructure.
The Government has shortlisted a further 44 areas for major infrastructure projects, which could deliver up to 400,000 new homes.
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) thinks that this funding will go a long way towards helping improve local infrastructure network, as well as enabling the delivery of affordable homes. However, solving the housing crisis requires planning reform, access to finance for SMEs, and a more diverse housing market.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “Reforming the planning process is key to solving the housing crisis but we must also do more to reform the procurement process. SMEs and regional contractors need to be able to compete on a level playing field alongside volume developers and the largest contractors to deliver affordable homes and infrastructure.
“SMEs have a unique understanding of their local communities. Working within 15 miles of where they are based, SMEs deliver high-quality homes more quickly than their larger counterparts and have an intrinsic understanding of local need. They are integral to the regional economy.”
