Construction plant-hire companies are fundamental to delivering the government’s pledge to build 1.5m homes, but they tend to be family businesses – the very kind that are being worst hit by changes to NICs and Business Property Relief, says Steven Mulholland

The latest Homes England figures might look promising – more homes completed, more sites started, and more land unlocked. But when you compare that with the latest S&P Global UK Construction data, which shows what’s happening now rather than year-on-year trends, output has fallen for a fourth successive month. That’s not a short-term dip – it’s a sign the industry is moving in the wrong direction.

As the Government urges firms to fulfill their pledge to build 1.5 million new homes, the reality of actually constructing these homes has become increasingly challenging. The issue isn’t a lack of ambition or effort within the sector; rather, it stems from ill-advised government policies. Rising costs and specific policy decisions by the Chancellor are hindering the sector, making planning, investment, and, most importantly, building much more difficult.

Family-run businesses are at the heart of the construction industry. They make up 95 per cent........

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