The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has warned that the Coalition Government's first 100 days in office has subjected to the construction industry to “death by 100 cuts”.
The NFB said that the industry’s present growth “is mainly attributed to companies scrambling to finalise deals before the government axe could fall”.
It contined: “The government appears to be taking a shotgun approach to policy relating to construction and to housing by floating ideas and seeing what sticks.
“Regional development agencies have been scrapped, but have nothing in their place.
“The government is proposing that councils and businesses create local enterprise partnerships, but ask for detailed proposals before the government has decided how they are supposed to work.
“The government has also scrapped regional spatial strategies, but does not have any transitional plans in place to deal with planning applications and appeals.”
The NFB also warned that the rise in the standard rate of VAT to 20% “will only sign and rubberstamp a charter for cowboy builders”, as homeowners would find it harder to choose a reputable builder when offered a cheaper cash alternative.
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