In recent years, it’s not often been possible to talk about the supply of any building materials without including the word ‘shortages’.

Finally that seems to have changed as it’s now being reported that, with a slowdown in housing developments, stocks of bricks and some other construction materials are on the rise.

In this week’s blog, we’re reporting on what industry leaders are saying about product demand and supply in the sector.

Over a quarter of a million extra construction workers may be needed by 2026, according to the latest Construction Skills Network report. That’s over 53,000 new recruits per year for the next five years!

Published annually by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the report looks into the UK’s construction economy and makes key predictions about what will happen in terms of labour/ skills needs over the coming years.

Check out this week’s blog for more details of what this year’s report had to say plus what it means for the sector and our region.

As construction companies continue to face challenges around the supply and cost of materials, the Construction Leadership Council have got together with industry experts to launch a five-point plan to ease the impact.

While many of the factors causing the materials crisis are acknowledged to be outside the control of businesses, experts or even the government, the CLC’s plan seeks to co-ordinate an industry-wide effort to minimise risk and reduce the impact of inflation wherever that’s possible.

Keep reading for more on what’s causing this problem and what’s included in the plan.