Housing Bank Unlocks Finance — MEDITE SMARTPLY Highlights Next Steps for Delivery
The UK Government’s announcement of a £16bn National Housing Bank, aimed at unlocking over 500,000 homes and accelerating progress on complex or stalled sites, has been welcomed across the construction sector. The move represents a major milestone toward achieving the national target of 1.5 million new homes.
As the industry prepares to scale, timber systems manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY is urging focus on two critical enablers of delivery: sustained investment in workforce development and greater clarity on evolving building standards.
A recent survey by MEDITE SMARTPLY in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association revealed:
-
73% of respondents reported skilled labour shortages, citing concerns around apprenticeships, training, and long-term workforce viability.
-
29% identified labour as their greatest challenge, followed closely by 26% pointing to issues with Building Regulations, certifications, and specifications.
-
Many expressed frustration with regulatory ambiguity and a perception that current standards are not inclusive of SMEs.
Roly Ward, Head of Business Development at MEDITE SMARTPLY, said:
“We can’t build low carbon homes at scale with a workforce that’s shrinking and ageing by the year. The reality is that many young people don’t see construction, and especially timber, as a modern, forward-facing career. That has to change.
“We need to invest not just in products, but in avenues of bringing fresh skills into the sector, from colleges and apprenticeships to upskilling experienced trades. If we don’t tackle this now, the gap between ambition and delivery will only widen.
“One of the most telling insights from the survey is that 39% of respondents are already building above regulations. Yet, they feel overlooked by the Future Homes Standard. That disconnect says a lot about how the standard is being communicated and applied. If FHS is going to work as a driver of low-carbon housing, it needs to bring SMEs with it, not leave them guessing.”
With offsite and timber-based construction set to play an expanding role in the housing pipeline, MEDITE SMARTPLY is calling for the momentum behind this week’s finance announcement to be matched by targeted support for skills and clearer guidance for SMEs on regulatory compliance.
