Conservative MP Mark Garnier raised the issue in the House of Commons on 13th November, stressing that rogue traders cause significant damage to homeowners’ properties and the reputation of the profession.

“The answer must lie in a scheme of regulation and licensing,” Garnier told the House.

“What I am seeking to do is get the government to come up with a scheme of compulsory licensing for SME building firms working in the renovation and domestic improvement space.

“We do not know what it will be, but we need a system in which there is an equivalence of risk on both sides.”

The issue was met with both agreement and disagreement by MPs, with the work of the FMB being highlighted after Garnier cited some of the organisation’s research on the issue.

Conservative MP, Sir Julian Lewis, said: “Like other skilled professions, builders must be licensed before being allowed to operate.

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“The good news is that, as we have heard, the [FMB] is ready and able to undertake this vital role.”

Labour MP Kate Dearden, who is also parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Business and Trade, conceded that more must be done but questioned the justification of a licensing framework.

“There is also no clear evidence that the existence of licensing schemes reduces the incidence of poor-quality work,” she said.

“There are also questions of how licensing schemes would be funded and administered, the implications for existing schemes in the UK, and the resourcing of the organisations responsible for the schemes.

“Any proposal to introduce a licensing scheme in the UK would have to be based on an assessment of costs and benefits and would have to address those issues.”

However, the under-secretary promised the government would keep the prospect of a licensing framework “under review.”

Brian Berry, CEO at the FMB, welcomed the debate and called it a “significant moment” for the construction industry.

“MPs from across the political spectrum came together to highlight the devastating impact that cowboy builders have on consumers and on reputable small building firms,” said Brian.

“It’s time for the government to act and introduce a scheme that protects consumers and rewards competence and professionalism.”