Call for urgent action to get the housing market moving

RACHEL Reeves has been warned of a lack of incentives for buyers to move home — and action is needed to tackle a malaise in the building materials sector.

- By Jon Robinson

John Newcomb, chief executive of the Builders Merchants Federation, urged “immediate intervention is now needed to thwart long-term stagnation” ahead of the Chancellor's second Budget, next month.

A BMF report detailed a stalled recovery, stagnant consumer spending and severe regional disparities in this economic bellwether market.

Data reveals two consecutive quarters of value growth of only 1.9% for the first half of 2025, driven by 4% increased volume, as prices fell 2%.

BMF members’ sales total £51.6billion and they employ 198,000.