Shortage of Tradespeople Risks Undermining Labour’s Housebuilding and Net Zero Targets: Report

Persistent shortages of skilled tradespeople risk undermining the government’s housebuilding and net zero targets in the next 10 years, a report has found. A website that connects homeowners with local tradespeople, Checkatrade, warned that the sector is in need of close to 1.3 million new skilled workers and 350,000 construction apprentices. To deliver on construction sector output over the next decade, the workforce will need 515,000 more people in employment. In the home improvement and repair sector, 219,00 more employees need to be recruited. The shortage of carpenters, builders, electricians and plumbers comes amid the pressures of an ageing population, outward migration, and low labour force....