One in five housebuilding workers “non-UK” – HBF census

The housebuilding industry is calling on the government to ensure the sector continues to have access to skilled EU labour post Brexit after a survey revealed that one in five workers are from abroad.

HBF carried out the survey of 37,167 workers on more than a thousand of its members’ sites.

The survey reveals that:

· 19.7% of workers on housebuilding sites are “non UK”

· 56.3% of workers on London sites are from overseas

· More than 1 in 5 of workers in the south east are from overseas

· 17.9% of workers in the east of England and 10.5% in the south west are from overseas

· In Yorkshire/Humber just 1.8% are non UK; 5.9% in the north west

· 15% of bricklayers are non-UK workers – but 48.5% in London

· Non UK workers tend to be younger with fewer as a percentage over 50

Stewart Baseley, HBF executive chairman, said: “The results of this census clearly demonstrate the reliance the industry currently has on non-UK workers. Output is up a massive 74% in recent years but achieving the very challenging targets set by government will require further big increases in workforce capacity. Whilst the …