Angela Rayner dealt fresh blow as ‘crisis’ set to wreck key policy

Prime Minister Keir Starmer And Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Visit Construction Site In Cambridgeshire

Concern over Labour’s housing target a national trade shortage will see slower production. (Image: Getty)

The shortage of skilled trades poses an “imminent threat” to Labour’s house-building targets, as many young people are choosing other career paths.

New research from shows that schools are overlooking the industry as only 13% of students are aware of the potential career choice.

Deputy Prime Minister ’s flagship plan promises 1.5 million new homes in England over the next five years, having proposed the yearly target rises from 300,000 to 370,000.

However, these figures are becoming increasingly unrealistic, as the number of UK construction employees has fallen by 14.3% over the past five years.

Reports from the Construction Products Association (CPA) show that more than 2 million people were employed in UK construction in 2024 Q1, which is 1.9% lower than in 2023 Q4 and 14.3% lower (with 347,000 fewer workers) than at the recent peak in 2019.

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The roof of a new build house with integrated solar panels under construction

Industry professionals warn of young people not being encouraged into trades professions. (Image: Getty)

MyBuilder has attributed the decline to young people’s lack of awareness about the construction industry. Andy Simms, a construction expert from , is urging the Government to take action to encourage schools and colleges to promote trades as a career choice.

He says: “Few were told about it as an option at school – which is a travesty when there is a national shortage, and finding work after education is challenging.”

Mr Simms says that despite the Government’s housebuilding targets, “there still isn’t a push for trades careers”.

He adds: “Before long, it will become harder and harder to find trades professionals without a long wait. The Government needs to work with schools and colleges to promote trades as an exciting career option for students before we face even more of a shortage crisis.”

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Scott McBride, 50.

Scott McBride, 50, urges schools to encourage young people into the trades industry. (Image: MyBuilder)

Plasterer Scott McBride, 50, of SMB Plastering, says there are many benefits to joining the industry that are not relayed to young people. “Unfortunately, it seems that nowadays, the trades are not pushed as a career option at school.

There is this assumption that kids will go on to A Levels and uni – but not all are suited to that,” he says.

Mr McBride’s son, Frank, has followed in his Father’s footsteps.

“I wasn’t someone that wanted to pursue more academic qualifications, but I do think many schools just suggest this route as the most obvious option,” he says, urging the trades to be further promoted in education.

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