Only emergency construction work should continue, says Federation of Master Builders
Only emergency and critical construction work should be allowed to continue and help extended to small and medium building firms and the self-employed in order to protect the health and livelihoods of the industry’s workforce, says the Federation of Master Builders.
New research conducted by the FMB has found that:
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Most members have already taken the lead and ceased the majority of their work. It is almost impossible to follow Public Health England’s social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them.
“However, the Government must ensure that these firms don’t face a cliff-edge while doing the right thing and should ensure that grants of £25,000 are made available and that ample support is extended to the self-employed who represent 37% of construction jobs.
“No one should have to choose between feeding their family and protecting their health and yet that is the position many builders currently find themselves in.
“There is a clear appetite for greater Government support among builders, as demonstrated by the fact that 80% would apply if grants were available,” said Berry.
“The Chancellor must avoid any halfway house measures and ensure that he delivers equal support for the self-employed as those on PAYE. This package needs to cover the breadth of people who are self-employed not just a select few.”