Affordable Housing a Key Component of Construction?s Jobs Rise

The need for more affordable housing in the UK is well documented and will help first time buyers as well as construction?s jobs seekers. As the population grows so does the pressure on UK schools, hospitals and other services. Therefore a house building program will need to be coupled with improvements to vital infrastructure in the UK.

Construction?s jobs market was given a timely boost in November with the news that a court has overruled the government?s decision to scrap regional housing targets. This means that many proposed housing developments rejected could now be approved giving welcome relief to the building industry.

In spite of the obvious need for additional affordable housing, the UK is experiencing the lowest peace time building rates since 1924. This has caused an obvious strain on the housing market, building firms and construction?s jobs market.

The appeal against scrapping the targets was brought to court by the house building firms Cala Homes, Catesby Property Group and Colonnade Land. The ruling was welcomed by the Home Builders? Federation, which will continue to help local authorities plan new housing developments using the old targets.

Junior Communities Secretary, Bob Neill has pledged that the government will work with local communities to build more homes. Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats pledged to do this in their election manifestos and Mr Neill said: ?We intend to deliver on it.?

Hopefully government spending cuts will not negatively impact the housing market and investment can be made to boost the construction industry as a whole. Jobs and first time house buyers are reliant upon an upturn in the house building market.