In a recently published report, the Home Builders Federation demonstrates the impact of house building for society and for the exchequer, whilst demanding house building become a primary focus of the general election debate.


The report demonstrates that house building contributes £19.2bn a year to the UK’s economy, generating £1.4bn a year in tax revenue.


In addition to the 140,000 new homes built in the UK in 2014, house builders also contributed £225m to the construction of new schools and an additional £351m to other elements of community infrastructure including the plating over 6.5m trees and shrubs.


It’s estimated that this essential sector is made up of around 233,000 construction workers and in total supports over 600,000 jobs, including the building supplies sector and other essential ancilliary industries.


HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “House-building makes a huge largely hidden social and economic contribution to the UK. Whilst housing output has increased, we are still not delivering anywhere near what is needed. As well as delivering desperately needed new homes, increasing housing supply would deliver significant additional benefits. House building is a huge employer both directly and through supplier companies.


“As well as providing desperately needed new homes, increasing house building would deliver massive additional benefits to communities across the land. People often don’t realise that the new community centre or school or football pitch has been paid for as a direct results of new homes. Providing new homes for people also means better facilities for the wider community. These are the very things that turn a collection of houses into communities; brand new places where people want to live.


“As we approach this important election, politicians must prioritise housing policies to help house builders build the homes we need.”


OBAS CEO, Norman Tenray commented: “Whilst the mainstream political parties have stated their ambitions to build more houses each year in the coming parliament, it’s essential that stakeholders in the construction industry continue to show courage, confidence and leadership in making the case for the tremendous economic benefits of house building in the UK and hold the government account for facilitating the realisation of their stated house building goals.”