Bricks Without Tricks: Why £600m Won’t Build 1.5 Million Homes a Year

Bricks Without Tricks: Why £600m Won’t Build 1.5 Million Homes in 5 Years

By Ian Hodgkinson – Business and Building Consultant & current DIY SOS Project Manager

The Chancellor’s upcoming Spring Statement is expected to include a headline pledge: £600 million to train 60,000 new construction workers.

It’s being presented as part of the government’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years — averaging around 300,000 homes per year. But let’s be honest — while it’s a step in the right direction, the maths still doesn’t stack up.

The UK is currently delivering between 140,000 and 180,000 homes a year, depending on region and market conditions. That means to meet this new target, we’ll need to nearly double housing output and fast. But without the skilled workforce to deliver it, that’s more fantasy than forecast.

What’s in the Plan?

The Chancellor’s proposed £600m package includes:

   •   £100m for 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges

   •   £165m for expanded construction courses

   •   £100m for Skills Bootcamps

   •   £40m to launch Foundation Apprenticeships (from August 2025)

   •   £2,000 per employer for each new foundation apprentice taken on

   •   40,000 annual industry placements to get learners site-ready

   •   A new Construction Skills Mission Board to oversee the strategy

It’s encouraging — and long overdue. But even if all 60,000 trainees go straight into housebuilding (which they won’t), it still wouldn’t be enough to meet the scale of labour demand needed to deliver 300,000 homes per year consistently.

A Bigger Problem: Leaky Workforce Pipeline

Training is only half the battle. The industry has a serious retention problem. Many young workers never make it past year one. Some don’t finish their training, and too many leave the trade early due to poor conditions, lack of mentorship, or limited opportunities.

What we need is:

   •   A national workforce strategy tied directly to housing delivery

   •   Investment in retention, site support, and mental health

   •   Real support for Modern Methods of Construction to boost productivity

   •   Cultural change to make construction a credible, attractive long-term career

We’re not just short on trainees — we’re short on experienced hands across all trades, from bricklayers to electricians, site managers to plasterers. That gap can’t be closed with bootcamps alone.

Conclusion: It’s a Foundation, Not a Fix

This funding is welcome, and it’s good to see construction finally getting the attention it deserves. But we need to be realistic: £600m spread across five years and 60,000 workers won’t build 1.5 million homes. Not unless it’s part of a wider, well-coordinated plan.

So yes, this is a solid first brick. But we’re still a long way off building the whole structure.

No tricks. Just truth.

If we’re going to build Britain, we need the boots — not just the budget.

⸻

Ian Hodgkinson

Business and Building Consultant

DIY SOS Project Manager

The UK's Housing Crisis: Bold Promises, But Who’s Going to Build?

 The UK's Housing Crisis: Bold Promises, But Who’s Going to Build?

The government has vowed to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years, a pledge they say will solve Britain’s chronic housing shortage. But behind the shiny announcement lies a brutal truth: our construction industry is woefully unprepared, and this bold promise risks becoming another hollow headline.

With over 150,000 children in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping up 27%, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, as things stand, the UK doesn’t have the workers, the materials, or the systems in place to deliver. This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a ticking time bomb.

 

A Workforce on the Brink

Britain’s construction sites are eerily quiet—not because the work isn’t there, but because there aren’t enough skilled workers to do it. The sector is in freefall, with an estimated 250,000 new workers needed by 2028 just to meet demand.

• Bricklayers are vanishing: 37% of construction firms say they can’t find enough.
• Carpenters, plumbers, electricians: The shortages are widespread, with tradespeople retiring faster than new ones are being trained.

Without 50,000 more bricklayers, 40,000 carpenters, 30,000 plumbers, and 20,000 electricians, the industry simply cannot meet the government’s targets. And it’s not just about numbers—it takes years to train a skilled tradesperson. Where’s the investment in apprenticeships and vocational training to fill this gaping hole?

 

Where Are the Materials?

Even if the workers were in place, there’s another massive roadblock: materials. Building 1.5 million homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar— The UK's Housing Crisis: Bold Promises, But Who’s Going to Build?

The government has vowed to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years, a pledge they say will solve Britain’s chronic housing shortage. But behind the shiny announcement lies a brutal truth: our construction industry is woefully unprepared, and this bold promise risks becoming another hollow headline.

With over 150,000 children in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping up 27%, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, as things stand, the UK doesn’t have the workers, the materials, or the systems in place to deliver. This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a ticking time bomb.

 

A Workforce on the Brink

Britain’s construction sites are eerily quiet—not because the work isn’t there, but because there aren’t enough skilled workers to do it. The sector is in freefall, with an estimated 250,000 new workers needed by 2028 just to meet demand.

• Bricklayers are vanishing: 37% of construction firms say they can’t find enough.
• Carpenters, plumbers, electricians: The shortages are widespread, with tradespeople retiring faster than new ones are being trained.

Without 50,000 more bricklayers, 40,000 carpenters, 30,000 plumbers, and 20,000 electricians, the industry simply cannot meet the government’s targets. And it’s not just about numbers—it takes years to train a skilled tradesperson. Where’s the investment in apprenticeships and vocational training to fill this gaping hole?

 

Where Are the Materials?

Even if the workers were in place, there’s another massive roadblock: materials. Building 1.5 million homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about 6 billion bricks, 20 million tonnes of concrete, and 5 million tonnes of timber. Right now, the supply chain can barely keep up with current demand, let alone a massive surge in construction.

Material prices are sky-high, with no sign of stabilising. Builders are being forced to halt projects or scale back as costs spiral out of control. Smaller firms are folding under the pressure, and even larger developers are feeling the pinch.

Imports are another issue. Brexit, global supply chain disruptions, and raw material shortages mean delays of months for critical components. The industry is crying out for stability, but instead, it’s being stretched to breaking point.

 

Planning: The Ultimate Bottleneck

Think the labour and materials crises are bad? Let’s talk about planning permission—the slow, bureaucratic process that’s strangling the housing market.

Developers face years of delays navigating red tape. From nutrient neutrality rules to biodiversity targets, the system is riddled with barriers. Planning inspectors often lack independence, meaning political and local pressures create unnecessary gridlock.

The government says it wants to streamline planning, but so far, there’s little sign of action. Without faster approvals, even the most ambitious building targets are dead in the water.

 

Social Housing: A National Shame

While the government promises new homes, let’s not forget those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis. Over 1.2 million households are on social housing waiting lists, and yet, last year, just 32,834 affordable homes were completed.

The country needs 145,000 affordable homes every year, including 90,000 for social rent. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about families living in temporary accommodation, children growing up without stability, and people being priced out of their own communities.

Since 1980, the UK has lost 1.4 million social homes. If the government is serious about tackling this crisis, they need to stop the bleeding and start building. Affordable housing must be at the heart of any solution, or these promises will do nothing for the people who need help the most.

 

A Call to Action: Ian Hodgkinson’s Urgent Warning

As someone who’s spent decades in the construction industry, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly ambition collapses without action. Right now, the government’s promises are teetering on the edge of disaster. If we don’t actimmediately, the housing crisis will spiral further out of control, leaving thousands more families in temporary accommodation and countless others priced out of a secure home.

Apprenticeships and Training: Who Will Build?

Where is the workforce to deliver this ambitious target? We don’t have it. The construction industry is running on fumes, with bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians in critically short supply. Without a national campaign to bring young people into the trades, we’ll be staring at empty sites instead of new homes.

The government needs to invest now in apprenticeships and training programmes. No workforce, no homes. It’s that simple.

Supply Chain Stability: Where Are the Materials?

It’s not just workers we’re short of—the materials aren’t there either. Bricks, timber, and concrete are in short supply, with builders waiting months and prices spiralling out of control. Small firms are being crushed under the weight of rising costs, while even major developers are struggling to stay afloat.

The government must take control. Work with manufacturers and merchants to secure a steady supply of materials. Without this, projects will stall, costs will skyrocket, and the housing crisis will deepen.

Independent Planning Inspectors: Red Tape Strangling Progress

Planning bottlenecks are a national disgrace. Projects are being strangled by bureaucracy and red tape, with delays stretching into years. Every moment wasted in planning is a home delayed, a family left waiting, and a crisis that worsens by the day.

We need independent planning inspectors with real power to approve projects quickly and fairly. Cut the red tape. Clear the backlog. Every early decision means quicker action on-site, and every delay costs lives.

The Clock Is Ticking

The housing crisis isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a human tragedy. 150,000 children are trapped in temporary accommodation, their futures slipping through the cracks. The government’s housing targets are bold, but without immediate investment in skills, supply chains, and planning reform, those targets will fail.

The time for talk is over. The clock is ticking, and Britain’s housing crisis is only getting worse. If the government doesn’t act now, it will leave a legacy of failure that no amount of ambition can erase.

 

Can the Government Deliver?

Let’s crunch the numbers. To meet the target, we’d need to build 900 homes a day—an increase of 30% over current rates. But at the current pace, experts predict a shortfall of388,000 homes by 2029.

Even if these homes are built, affordability remains a major issue. Rising mortgage rates and the cost-of-living crisis mean fewer people can afford to buy or rent. Without targeted action, these houses risk becoming unaffordable ghost towns.

 

Conclusion: From Promise to Pipe Dream

The government’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes could transform lives—but only if it’s backed by real action. Right now, the construction industry is overburdened, underfunded, and crying out for help.

If ministers don’t address the workforce shortage, fix the supply chain, and overhaul planning, this bold promise will end in failure. The UK’s housing crisis needs solutions, not soundbites. Time to put the tools where the talk is. about 6 billion bricks, 20 million tonnes of concrete, and 5 million tonnes of timber. Right now, the supply chain can barely keep up with current demand, let alone a massive surge in construction.

Material prices are sky-high, with no sign of stabilising. Builders are being forced to halt projects or scale back as costs spiral out of control. Smaller firms are folding under the pressure, and even larger developers are feeling the pinch.

Imports are another issue. Brexit, global supply chain disruptions, and raw material shortages mean delays of months for critical components. The industry is crying out for stability, but instead, it’s being stretched to breaking point.

 

Planning: The Ultimate Bottleneck

Think the labour and materials crises are bad? Let’s talk about planning permission—the slow, bureaucratic process that’s strangling the housing market.

Developers face years of delays navigating red tape. From nutrient neutrality rules to biodiversity targets, the system is riddled with barriers. Planning inspectors often lack independence, meaning political and local pressures create unnecessary gridlock.

The government says it wants to streamline planning, but so far, there’s little sign of action. Without faster approvals, even the most ambitious building targets are dead in the water.

 

Social Housing: A National Shame

While the government promises new homes, let’s not forget those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis. Over 1.2 million households are on social housing waiting lists, and yet, last year, just 32,834 affordable homes were completed.

The country needs 145,000 affordable homes every year, including 90,000 for social rent. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about families living in temporary accommodation, children growing up without stability, and people being priced out of their own communities.

Since 1980, the UK has lost 1.4 million social homes. If the government is serious about tackling this crisis, they need to stop the bleeding and start building. Affordable housing must be at the heart of any solution, or these promises will do nothing for the people who need help the most.

 

A Call to Action: Ian Hodgkinson’s Urgent Warning

As someone who’s spent decades in the construction industry, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly ambition collapses without action. Right now, the government’s promises are teetering on the edge of disaster. If we don’t actimmediately, the housing crisis will spiral further out of control, leaving thousands more families in temporary accommodation and countless others priced out of a secure home.

Apprenticeships and Training: Who Will Build?

Where is the workforce to deliver this ambitious target? We don’t have it. The construction industry is running on fumes, with bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians in critically short supply. Without a national campaign to bring young people into the trades, we’ll be staring at empty sites instead of new homes.

The government needs to invest now in apprenticeships and training programmes. No workforce, no homes. It’s that simple.

Supply Chain Stability: Where Are the Materials?

It’s not just workers we’re short of—the materials aren’t there either. Bricks, timber, and concrete are in short supply, with builders waiting months and prices spiralling out of control. Small firms are being crushed under the weight of rising costs, while even major developers are struggling to stay afloat.

The government must take control. Work with manufacturers and merchants to secure a steady supply of materials. Without this, projects will stall, costs will skyrocket, and the housing crisis will deepen.

Independent Planning Inspectors: Red Tape Strangling Progress

Planning bottlenecks are a national disgrace. Projects are being strangled by bureaucracy and red tape, with delays stretching into years. Every moment wasted in planning is a home delayed, a family left waiting, and a crisis that worsens by the day.

We need independent planning inspectors with real power to approve projects quickly and fairly. Cut the red tape. Clear the backlog. Every early decision means quicker action on-site, and every delay costs lives.

The Clock Is Ticking

The housing crisis isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a human tragedy. 150,000 children are trapped in temporary accommodation, their futures slipping through the cracks. The government’s housing targets are bold, but without immediate investment in skills, supply chains, and planning reform, those targets will fail.

The time for talk is over. The clock is ticking, and Britain’s housing crisis is only getting worse. If the government doesn’t act now, it will leave a legacy of failure that no amount of ambition can erase.

 

Can the Government Deliver?

Let’s crunch the numbers. To meet the target, we’d need to build 900 homes a day—an increase of 30% over current rates. But at the current pace, experts predict a shortfall of388,000 homes by 2029.

Even if these homes are built, affordability remains a major issue. Rising mortgage rates and the cost-of-living crisis mean fewer people can afford to buy or rent. Without targeted action, these houses risk becoming unaffordable ghost towns.

 

Conclusion: From Promise to Pipe Dream

The government’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes could transform lives—but only if it’s backed by real action. Right now, the construction industry is overburdened, underfunded, and crying out for help.

If ministers don’t address the workforce shortage, fix the supply chain, and overhaul planning, this bold promise will end in failure. The UK’s housing crisis needs solutions, not soundbites. Time to put the tools where the talk is.

A Double Hit to the UK Housing Market

Labour’s Budget and Stamp Duty: A

Double Hit to the UK Housing Market

The UK housing market has long been a cornerstone of the economy, but recent government decisions, particularly in the Labour Party’s new budget, have put this vital sector under significant strain. With stagnant growth, an affordability crisis, and relentless tax burdens, the housing market is seeing demand cool dramatically. The latest budget and stamp duty policies seem to have turned a challenging market into an almost hostile environment for buyers and sellers alike.

A Bleak Outlook for Housing Demand

Housing demand in the UK was already facing pressure due to high interest rates and inflation-driven cost-of-living issues, but Labour’s recent budget has delivered a near-knockout punch. While the government claims its policies aim to level the playing field and tackle affordability issues, the reality is that these changes are making homeownership harder to achieve and deterring market activity.

The Labour budget refrained from addressing the existing stamp duty thresholds and, more critically, introduced new restrictions and additional taxes on buy-to-let properties and second homes. These changes have had a ripple effect across the market, dissuading both buyers and sellers from making a move and, in some cases, eroding housing stock availability altogether.

The Heavy Hand of Stamp Duty

Stamp duty has always been an expensive barrier, but Labour’s refusal to reform it or offer any meaningful relief has only compounded the problem:

1. Locking Out First-Time Buyers

Instead of expanding opportunities for first-time buyers, stamp duty remains a daunting expense, particularly in urban centres where even modest homes surpass the tax threshold. Labour’s budget ignores this reality, offering no new exemptions or support. First-time buyers, facing rising mortgage rates and inflation, are increasingly choosing to delay or abandon plans to buy, creating a bottleneck in housing demand.

2. Squeezing Out Investors and Landlords

The new budget introduced further stamp duty surcharges on buy-to-let properties, effectively punishing investors who help maintain rental housing stock. This surcharge, along with interest rate hikes, has led many landlords to sell off properties, reducing rental options for those unable to buy. The result? A restricted rental market, rising rents, and a shrinking pool of affordable homes—directly undermining Labour’s claims of housing support.

3. Dampening Downsizing Activity

Labour’s budget fails to address the needs of older homeowners who might consider downsizing but are discouraged by stamp duty costs. Without incentives, many opt to stay put in larger homes, which could otherwise free up properties for families. Labour’s lack of flexibility in stamp duty policy has led to a stagnation in property flow, restricting available housing stock and hindering natural movement within the market.

The Real Cost of Labour’s Policies: Stagnation and Decline

Labour’s budget may have aimed for fairer housing, but its approach has largely backfired. By failing to reform stamp duty and adding extra costs to property ownership, they have discouraged a critical demographic of buyers and investors from participating in the market. While property taxes generate revenue, they are also causing significant damage, slowing demand and pushing homeownership further out of reach for many. This approach risks long-term stagnation, leaving the market vulnerable to a decline that could affect everyone, from first-time buyers to retirees.

What Needs to Change?

If Labour truly wants to support the housing market, urgent reforms to stamp duty are essential. Increasing the tax threshold, introducing relief for downsizers, and reconsidering punitive surcharges on investors would create a more balanced environment. Until these changes are made, the UK housing market will continue to bear the brunt of policies that appear to prioritise revenue over revitalisation.

Conclusion

Labour’s recent budget and stance on stamp duty are proving detrimental to the housing market, turning an already challenging environment into a near no-go zone for many prospective buyers and investors. Unless serious reforms are considered, we risk seeing the UK housing market slow even further, ultimately leading to a landscape where homeownership becomes a distant dream rather than a realistic goal.

Fixing the property market will be hugely beneficial to the overall economy. With 16 housing ministers since 2010, the outgoing government hasn’t taken the property industry and its impact on the wider market seriously enough. Only time will tell whether the new government will do anything radical to reverse the current housing crisis.”

 UK house prices remained flat in June, with the average price of a residential property dipping by 0.2% monthly, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index. The annual house price growth rate was unchanged at +1.6%. The typical UK home now costs £288,455, down from £288,931 in May.

Northern Ireland saw the strongest property price growth in the UK, rising by 4% annually to £192,457. In England, the North West had the steepest house price inflation at +3.8%, now at £231,351. Scotland's house prices increased by +1.6% to £204,663, while Wales grew by +2.7% to £220,197.

Eastern England was the only UK region to register a decline, with prices down -0.9% to £328,747. London remains the most expensive, averaging £536,306, up +0.9% from last year.

Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, noted that UK house prices stayed relatively flat for the third month in June, reflecting a subdued market. She highlighted that mortgage affordability remains the biggest challenge but expects gradual easing through lower interest rates and rising incomes.

Industry reactions:

- Amy Reynolds (Antony Roberts): Falling prices are a correction from 2021 highs. Higher borrowing costs make homeownership challenging, and potential increased capital gains tax may lead to more ex-rental properties entering the market.

- Myles Moloney (Chase Buchanan): June’s market remained positive, driven by buyers with larger equity, though first-time buyers are cautious due to political uncertainties.

- Nicky Stevenson (Fine & Country): Despite elevated interest rates and political uncertainty, the property market is expected to remain buoyant, with improved consumer confidence and reduced time to sell properties.

- Jeremy Leaf: The election added to market nervousness, but resilient activity is expected to continue.

- Richard Vickery (Fulfords): June sales were subdued, but July looks promising post-election.

- Iain McKenzie (The Guild of Property Professionals): Despite high interest rates and election run-up, the market has been resilient. Confidence is returning, supported by sustained demand and potential interest rate cuts.

- Sharon Donaldson (Countrywide Scotland): The Scottish market remains resilient, driven by significant demand and strong competition, particularly for family homes.