The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) State of Trade Survey for Q3 2019 revealed that 23% of respondents reported they had reduced their headcount, up from the 21% recorded in the previous quarter.
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Other highlights from the report included:
- for the second quarter in a row, employment levels for SME construction companies remained in negative territory following a previous five-year period of positive growth
- 34% reported that construction workloads remained high (Q2 2019: 27%)
- 86% anticipated a rise in material prices (Q2 2019: 77%)
- 56% predicted that salaries and wages would increase (Q2 2019: 51%)
- 56% reported difficulties in hiring carpenters and joiners, overtaking bricklayers (54%) as the trade that is hardest to recruit
- 19% predicted lower workloads (Q2 2019: 12%)
“Builders are tired of the continued political uncertainty blighting the UK economy,” said Brian Berry, chief executive at the FMB.
“Skilled workers are scarce in the construction industry, and it is critical we keep people employed in the sector.”
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